Nabi’s all-round performance saw Afghanistan progress to the Super 10 stage of the World Twenty20
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi scored a sensational half-century to not only help his side demolish Zimbabwe by 59 runs, but also lead them into the Super 10 stage of the World Twenty20.
Opting to bat first, Afghanistan opener Mohammad Shahzad got his side off to a blistering start thanks to his knock of 40, which came off 23 balls and included seven boundaries and a six.
Even though Afghanistan endured a top order collapse after Shahzad’s dismissal, Nabi and Samiullah Shenwari came to the rescue with a 98-run partnership.
Donald Tiripano provided the breakthrough Zimbabwe were so desperately searching for when he removed Shenwari for 43 off 37 balls, which included four boundaries and a six.
Nabi went on to make 52 off 32 deliveries, which included four boundaries and two sixes, as Afghanistan finished on 186/6 off their 20 overs.
Tinashe Panyangara was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Tiripano and Sean Williams chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Chasing 187 to win, seven Zimbabwe players managed to reach double figures, but not a single one of them were able to convert their starts into bigger scores.
Furthermore, with none of the batsmen going on to surpass the 20-run mark, Zimbabwe fell well short of their target as they were bowled out for 127.
Rashid Khan was the most successful bowler with three wickets, while Hamid Hassan snapped up two and Nabi, Shenwari, Dawlat Zadran and skipper Asghar Stanikzai claimed one wicket each.
Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Masakadza was gutted to have lost, and said: “They played a lot better than us, they outplayed us in every facet of the game. From the moment they hit us out in the powerplay, we were struggling. Nothing went to plan”
Stanikzai was thrilled to have advanced to the main draw of the tournament, and said: “This match was very important for Afghanistan, the people wanted use to play in the World Cup. They love cricket back home. Shahzad started very well, we played a few poor shots, but Sami and Nabi played very well. After a long time, our middle order has performed. Thanks to the people for praying for us.”
Nabi was named Man of the Match, and said: “I am very happy with my performance, especially in this main match and it was a tough game in the qualifying round. The start was very good, the way Shahzad played in the first five overs. It was quite good. Then the three wickets put us under pressure, the coach [Inzamam-ul-Haq] told me to take singles until the 14th over and then the last six can be used for the big hits. On that kind of pitch, 150 could be a winning target. But if you have wickets in hand, you can go for more. On these kinds of pitches, I’m a bowler first [smiles].”