Afghanistan And Namibia Make It Five In A Row

Afghanistan And Namibia Make It Five In A Row

Samiullah Shenwari (right) produced an outstanding all-round display to help Afghanistan beat Canada by 41 runs

©International Cricket Council

Afghanistan and Namibia made it five wins out of five to remain at the top of their respective groups after the fifth day of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in the United Arab Emirates.

There was also a first win so far for the United States of America, who beat Oman, while also victorious were Hong Kong, Netherlands, Nepal, Italy and Ireland.

GROUP A

Afghanistan made light work of Canada with a thumping 41-run win. 61 from Samiullah Shenwari and 36 from Karim Sadiq set them up to score 174 for eight and in reply Canada could manage only 133 for nine, Shenwari completing figures of four for 14 to run away with the man-of-the-match award.

The Netherlands produced an efficient display to ease past Papua New Guinea by nine wickets. Tony Ura (70 in 58 balls) and Chris Amini (44 in 40) gave PNG a chance as they hit 140 for seven despite Peter Borren taking three wickets. However, Stephanus Myburgh (52), Michael Swart (59 not out) and Tom Cooper (27 not out) ensured that the runs were knocked off in 16.4 overs.

Irfan Ahmed smashed an unbeaten 91 in 60 balls to help set up a 35-run win for Hong Kong over Denmark. He hit ten fours and two sixes to push his side to a score of 170 for five. Denmark fought hard but Hong Kong's bowlers were too strong for them. Kinchit Shah took four for 21 and Munir Dar two for 18 as they closed on 135 for nine in reply.

Bermuda remain at the bottom of the table and are still searching for a first victory after they were beaten by Nepal. Captain Paras Khadka hit 65 not out and Sharad Vesawkar 44 as Nepal scored 151 for six although they were challenged by Dion Stovell's haul of four for 25. Bermuda then closed on 127 for five, Shakti Gauchan taking three wickets.

Standings after five matches: Afghanistan 10 points, Netherlands 8 points, Canada, Nepal 6 points, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong 2 points, Bermuda 0 points

GROUP B

USA got off the mark with a comprehensive 30-run win over Oman. Captain Sushil Nadkarni led the way by hitting 59 in 47 balls and Abhimanu Rajp struck 20 in just eight deliveries as USA posted 141 for seven. Oman then struggled and closed on 111 for seven in reply. Japen Patel (3-29) and Rajp (2-33) did the bulk of the damage with the ball.

13 proved to be a lucky number for Italy as their cricket team beat Uganda by that many runs one day after their rugby team had scored the same amount of points in beating Scotland in a Six Nations clash. Damian Crowley continued his fine tournament by top scoring for Italy with 44 in 24 balls as they made 131 for seven and Gareth Berg then took four for 20 as Uganda were dismissed for 118 in reply.

The Twenty20 International between Ireland and Scotland went the way of the former, by 17 runs. Ed Joyce struck a composed 78 not out in 58 balls and Gary Wilson 26 in as many deliveries as they scored 159 for five, despite Majid Haq impressing with two for 18. Scotland then slipped to 22 for three and although Kyle Coetzer rallied by scoring 62 in 52 balls and Fraser Watts hit 33, the damage had been too great, and they closed short on 142 for seven. Kevin O'Brien took three for 35 and Trent Johnston two for 23.

Namibia's latest scalp was fellow African contenders Kenya. Kenya made a promising start to their innings thanks to Duncan Allan's 40 and Collins Obuya 31 but they fell apart to lose nine wickets for 24 runs to be bowled out for 108. Louis Klazinga finished with four for nine and Christoffel Viljoen two for five. Raymond van Schoor then anchored Namibia's run chase with 49 not out as his side eased to a seven-wicket win with more than three overs to spare.

Standings after five matches: Namibia 10 points, Ireland 8 points, Italy, Scotland 6 points, Uganda, Kenya 4 points, USA 2 points, Oman 0 points

The ICC have confirmed that Scotland have been permitted to replace injured all-rounder Gordon Goudie in their squad with leg-spinner Moneeb Iqbal. Goudie suffered a rib injury playing against Oman.

© Cricket World 2012