Published: Jan 25, 2018, 08:52 AM (IST)
Edited: Jan 25, 2018, 08:52 AM (IST)
Afghanistan’s success story in the world of cricket continued as they thrashed hosts New Zealand by a whopping margin of 202 runs. Playing their Super League Quarter-Final 3 tie at Hagley Oval in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2018, spinning sensation, Mujeeb Zadran and Qais Ahmad rocked New Zealand’s batting order to bits. It was only Katene Clarke and Dale Phillips that provided resistance for the home side.
Watching his colleague shine with the ball, Ahmed soon joined in the fun. He claimed wickets of Clarke and Phillips. The pair added valuable 66 runs for the fifth wicket. Ahmad nabbed his third wicket in the form of Sandeep Patel. Max Chu did resist a bit, but was trapped leg-before by Mujeeb for 13. Felix Murray was out for 2 by Mujeeb. Ahmad came back into the attack and picked his fourth wicket of the day.
Mujeeb sent off New Zealand packing for 107, claiming the final wicket of Max Chu. Chu did resist a bit, but was trapped leg-before by Mujeeb for 13.
Batting first, Afghanistan posted a mammoth 309 for 6 in their 50 overs. Openers Rahmanullah and Ibrahim Zadran provided the side a brisk start. They added 117 runs in just over 20 overs. Both reached their individual fifties before departing to Sandeep Patel for 69 and 68 respectively.
New Zealand came back into the game picking a few quick wickets in Ikram Ali Khil, Darwish Rasooli and Nisar Wahdat. It was then the pair of Baheer Shah and Azmatullah who unleashed an attack on the home side.
Azmatullah in particular smacked as many as 7 sixes and 3 fours during his 23-ball stay.
Azmatullah 19-ball fifty was the second-quickest in U-19 ODI. He fell for 66 to Ben Lockrose. Shah remained unbeaten on a 72-ball 67 along Naveen-ul-Haq on 0 as Afghanistan closed their innings on 309. They will play their first-ever semi-final in U-19 World Cup, against Australia.
Brief Scores:
Afghanistan U19 309 for 6 (Rahmanullah 69, Ibrahim Zadran 68; Sandeep Patel 2 for 13) beat New Zealand U19 107 all out (Katene Clarke 38, Dale Phillips 31; Mujeeb Zadran 4 for 14) by 202 runs
Player of the Match: Azmatullah
