Rashid spins Afghanistan to victory

HARARE: Rashid Khan, the world’s number-one ranked bowler, took a big leap towards becoming the quickest bowler to 100 One-Day International wickets when he took his fourth five-wicket haul as Afghanistan overcame a top-order batting collapse to prevail over the UAE in a Super Six fixture of the ICC World Cup Qualifier 2018 at the Old Hararians on Tuesday.

According to a press release, Rashid returned figures of 9-0-41-5 as the UAE, after electing to bat first, were bowled out for 177 in 43 overs. Afghanistan, in their run-chase, plunged to 54 for five before an unfinished 124-run sixth wicket partnership between player of the match Gulbadin Naib and Najibullah Zadran helped them reach the target for the loss of five wickets.

The victory in the 35th over also helped Afghanistan to narrow the gap with Ireland and the Windies on net run-rate, which will come into play if Scotland beat the Windies on Wednesday, the UAE beat Zimbabwe on Thursday and Afghanistan beat Ireland on Friday.

Scores in brief: UAE 177 all out in 43 overs (Shaiman Anwar 64, Mohammad Naveed 45, Chirag Suri 22; Rashid Khan 5-41, Dawlat Zadran 3-45). Afghanistan 178-5 in 34.3 overs (Gulbadin Naib 74 not out, Najibullah Zadran 63 not out; Mohammad Naveed 2-37, Qadeer Ahmed 2-38). Result: Afghanistan beat UAE by five wickets. Player of the Match: Gulbadin Naib (Afghanistan).