Afghans end with a blast
Afghanistan downed the powerful West Indies by six runs in a historic World Twenty20 match in Nagpur on Sunday, handing the never-say-die underdogs their first ever Super 10 victory.
Afghanstan had failed to qualify for the semifinals heading into Sunday's match, but were determined to take home a consolation victory against the West Indies, who had already made the final four.
After being sent into bat, Asghar Stanikzai's side posted a respectable 123 for 7, with Najibullah Zadran smashing an unbeaten 48 against the 2012 World T20 champions.
The West Indies, who had a perfect record heading into the match with three straight wins, warned that they were not going to let up against Afghanistan.
But their run chase got off to a shaky start, with opener Evin Lewis dismissed for a duck, and some excellent Afghanistan spin bowling led by 17-year-old Rashid Khan meant the wickets kept falling.
With the West Indies needing 10 runs from the final over, Najibullah sprinted several metres along the boundary to take a spectacular, tumbling catch and claim Carlos Braithwaite for 13, just when he looked like bringing the West Indies home, as he had done against South Africa on Friday.
Samuel Badree and an injured Andre Fletcher could only manage to push the total to 117 in the three remaining deliveries.
Despite the loss, the West Indies still finish top of Group One, and will play either Australia or India, who clash later Sunday in Group Two, in the semifinals.
After being sent in to bat, Najibullah top scored for Afghanistan, striking four fours and one six in his 40-ball knock to bring cheers from the small but vocal crowd.
Afghanistan had lost all of their previous Super 10 matches, but they have won new admirers in India with their aggressive and carefree brand of cricket that has caused some anxious moments for their opponents.
Asghar Stanikzai also made a handy 16. The skipper shuffled down the wicket to smash a six over long on, but was caught the next ball by Dwayne Bravo off Badree attempting the same shot.
SCORES IN BRIEF
AFGHANISTAN: 123 for 7 in 20 overs (Shahzad 24, Stanikzai 16, Naib 8, Najibullah 48 not out, Nabi 9, Rashid 6 not out; Russell 2-23, Badree 3-14, Brathwaite, Benn 1-18, Sammy 1-17)
WEST INDIES: 117 for 8 in 20 overs (Charles 22, Fletcher 11 not out, Ramdin 18, Bravo 28, Russell 7, Sammy 6, Braithwaite 13; Hamza 1-9, Nabi 2-26, Hassan 1-19, Khan 2-26, Naib 1-14)
Result: Afghanistan won by 6 runs.
Player-of-the-match: Najibullah Zadran.
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