Published: Feb 17, 2014, 08:48 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 17, 2014, 10:21 PM (IST)
Abu Dhabi: Feb 17, 2014
Afghanistan caused a major upset in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2014 when they defeated three-time champions and 2012 runners-up Australia by 36 runs on Monday.
Half-centuries by Mohammad Mujtaba, Ihsanullah and Hashmatullah Shaidi helped Afghanistan post a respectable 253 in 49.2 overs before fast bowler Abdullah Adil and left-arm spinner Sharafuddin Ashraf shared seven wickets between them to bowl Australia out for 217.
Mujtaba (75) and Ihsanullah (63) added 126 runs for the second wicket and later Hashmatullah (57) provided a late impetus to Afghanistan’s innings after they had elected to bat first.
In turn, Australia managed just one partnership of note when for the fourth wicket, with Jake Doran (45) and Damien Mortimer (43) putting on 70 runs as they were bowled out for 217 in 48 overs with James Bazley top scoring with 54 not out. Abdullah returned figures of 4 for 45 while Sharafuddin had figures of 3 for 55.
Brief scores:
Afghanistan 253 in 49.2 overs (Mohammad Mujtaba 75, Ihsanullah 63, Hashmatullah Shaidi 57; Cameron Valente 3 for 59, James Bazley 3 for 69) beat Australia 217 in 48 overs (James Bazley 54*, Jaron Morgan 47, Jake Doran 45; Abdullah Adil 4 for 45, Sharafuddin Ashraf 3 for 55) by 36 runs.
