Shenwari was named Man of the Match for his career-best knock of 96
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Afghanistan made history by winning their first World Cup match when they broke Scotland’s heart in a thrilling one-wicket win in Dunedin.
Samiullah Shenwari starred with the bat for Afghanistan as he scored 96 runs, while pace bowler Shapoor Zadran excelled with the ball as he took four wickets.
Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi would have been delighted with his decision to bowl first after Scotland continued to lose wickets at regular intervals until they found themselves reeling at 144/8.
Majid Haq and Alasdair Evans stabilised the innings with a 62-run partnership before Haq was caught by Gulbadin Naib at point off the bowling of Zadran for 31.
Scotland were bowled out for 210 just five balls later when Evans was caught by Nabi at cover for 28.
Zadran was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Dawlat Zadran snapped up three and Naib, Nabi and Hamid Hassan chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Zadran finished with figures of 4-38 off 10 overs
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Chasing 211 to win, Afghanistan got off to a solid start before losing Nawroz Mangal and Asghar Stanikzai in quick succession.
Javed Ahmadi managed to make 51 off 51 balls, which included eight boundaries, before he was caught by Matt Machan off the bowling of Richie Berrington.
Ahmadi hit eight boundaries during his innings of 51
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Following Ahmadi’s dismissal, Afghanistan’s middle and lower order completely collapsed as they went from 85/3 to 132/8.
Shenwari and Hassan stemmed the bleeding with a 60-run partnership, during which Shenwari registered his half-century, before he was caught by Josh Davey at deep midwicket off the bowling of Haq.
Shenwari’s career-best knock of 96 came off 147 balls and included seven boundaries and five sixes.
Despite the loss of Shenwari, Hassan and Shapoor Zadran kept their composure and edged Afghanistan closer and closer to victory.
Needing five runs to win off the last over, Hassan got a single off the first ball. Zadran failed to get a run off the second ball, but became the country’s hero on the very next delivery as he smashed it past short fine leg to give Afghanistan the four runs they needed to win the match.
Berrington was the most successful bowler with four wickets, while Evans and Davey took two wickets each and Haq claimed one.
Scotland skipper Preston Mommsen was gutted to have lost the match, and said: “Particularly difficult for us. We knew what to expect. We knew if we were patient we [could] take a couple of wickets and get more. We had them seven down, but we couldn’t do it. Obviously we were trying to take wickets the whole time. Those 8, 9, 10, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.”
Nabi was ecstatic that Afghanistan won their first World Cup match, and said: “This is our first win in the World Cup and everyone enjoys this one. The pressure was great. The boys didn’t bat well, four five wickets early but Sami [Shenwari] played very well. Good learning experience about handling the pressure and for our upcoming games, it’s good as well. Putting two points on the board. Hope we win more games, everyone would have enjoyed this game. It’s out first win in the World Cup. We’ve had good support here and also back home.”
Shenwari was named Man of the Match, and said: “Thanks to Allah, thankful to stay there in the end and give the win for Afghanistan. We lost five wickets early and I had the resposibility to stay there till the end. Poor shot, but I was trying to get a six. Good win for us in the tournament and we are looking forward to win more and get into the Super Eight.”