Afghanistan stay alive in WCQ with win over UAE

HARARE: Afghanistan overcame a collapse at the start of their innings which saw them reduced to 54 for 5 chasing 178 to come through against UAE in the World Cup Qualifieron Tuesdayat the Old Hararians Sports Club in Harare.

UAE, who were already eliminated from the race to the World Cup before they even took the field for this game, opted to bat first and were in early trouble at 18 for 3 with opening bowler Dawlat Zadran taking two quick wickets. Their problems worsened with the introduction of legspinner Rashid Khan - without captaincy pressures - who was back to his old destructive self. He set about destroying the middle and lower order even as the classy Shaiman Anwar held fort at one end. Anwar was the eighth batsman out as UAE were mopped up for just 173 with 7 full overs remaining in their innings. Rashid picked up a five-for and ended with figures of 5 for 41.

Chasing what looked like an easy score, Afghanistan found themselves in deep trouble having lost half their side for 54 including returning captain Asghar Stanikzai and star all-rounder Mohammad Nabi. UAE’s opening bowlers Mohammad Naveed and Qadeer Ahmed shared the first four wickets to fall.

Brief scores: UAE 177 all out in 43 overs (Shaiman Anwar 64; Rashid Khan 5-41) lost to Afghanistan 178/5 in 34.3 overs (Gulbadin Naib 74*, Najibullah Zadran 63*; Mohammad Naveed 2-37) by 5 wickets.