World T20: Minnows beat the table toppers: There was an upset waiting to happen in the ongoing Wold T20 tournament, and it happened.
Group 1 table toppers, West Indies, who have already qualified for the knock out stage, were ‘done in’ by the minnows, Afghanistan in their last league encounter played at VCA Stadium, Jamtha, Nagpur.
Put into bat by West Indies, the Afghans managed to notch up 123 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their 20 overs.
Wicket-keeper-opener, Mohammad Shehzad (24) and the skipper Asghar Stanzikai (16), the two recognised batsmen, added 25 runs for the second wicket, after losing Usman Ghani (4) very early.
Another well made 48 runs off 40 deliveries with 4 fours and a six by Najibullah Zadran helped Afghanistan put up 123 runs in the board.
Samuel Badree picked up 3 wickets, giving away 14 runs in his four-over spell, while Andre Russell picked up 2 wickets and Suleiman Benn picked up one wicket.
With Gayle being rested the innings opening responsibility was on Johnson Charles and Evin Lewis.
Except for Charles (22) and Dwayne Bravo (28), no other batsman could stitch a meaningful innings. Losing wickets at regular intervals, the West Indies just managed to put up 117 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 20 overs.
Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan picked up 2 wickets each in their quota of 4 overs.
Najbullah Zadran was awarded the Player of the Match.
Afghanistan registered their maiden victory in the main draw of the tournament and ended their campaign on a winning note.
The Associate Member ICC has been really impressive throughout the tournament and would have gained loads of experience playing in the main draw and the same would hold them in good stead.
The world of cricket would get to hear more of this upcoming team in times to come.
