Afghanistan have officially sealed their Super 8 berth of the T20 World Cup 2024 with a seven-wicket win over Papua New Guinea in the Group C match at the Brain Lara Cricket Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago on Friday, June 14.
With a mere target of 96, Afghanistan chased it down with 29 balls to spare. Gulabadin Naib led the team's batting with an unbeaten innings of 49 runs off 36 balls balls. Naib formed an unbeaten 46-run partnership with Mohammad Nabi, who scored 16 runs off 23 balls, to help the team achieve the target.
When Afghanistan required just 1 run off 30 balls, Gulbadin Naib hit a six to take the team past the finishing line.
For PNG, Norman Vanua, Semo Kamea and Alei Nao picked a wicket each. Kamea was the most economical bowler for the side as he registered the figures of 1/16 with an economy rate of 5.30 in 3 overs.
Chasing a modest target of 96, Afghanistan lost an early wicket in opener Ibrahim Zadran for a duck, dismissed by Semo Kamea at 8/1. Then, Rahmanullah Gurbaz's stay at the crease ended as he was bowled out by Alei Nao for 11 at 22/1.
After Gurbaz's dismissal, Gulbadin Naib was joined by Azmatullah Omarzai at the crease to carry on Afghanistan's run-chase. The pair was hoping to form an unbeaten partnership until Omarzai was bowled out by Norman Vanua at 55/3.
Thereafter, Mohammad Nabi walked out to bat and joined Naib at the crease to carry on Afghanistan's innings. The pair ensured that no further fall of wickets while achieving the target for the side. Afghanistan were 55/3 in 8.4 overs and Naib and Nabi took 6.3 overs to chase 96-run target.
Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen ul Haq pick 5 wickets for Afghanistan
Earlier, he pace bowling duo of Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen ul Haq together picked 5 wickets to help Afghanistan bundle out Uganda for a mere 95 runs in the first innings.
Fazalhaq Farooqi was the best bowler for Afghanistan as he registered the figures of 3/16 with an economy rate of 4 in four overs. While, Naveen ul Haq picked two wickets while conceding just 4 runs with an economy rate of 1.40 in 2.5 overs.
Apart from Farooqi and Naveen, Noor Ahmed too chipped in by taking a taking a wicket and conceding just 14 runs with an economy rate of 3.50 on 4 overs.
For Uganda, Kiplin Doriga led the batting with an innings of 27 off 32 balls, while Alei Nao and Tony Ura scored 13 and 11, respectively. Rest of the batters were dismissed for single digit score.
