DHAKA (SW): Afghanistan thrashed Hong Kong by 66 runs in the must-win Asia Cup T 20 qualifying match in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Monday.
Afghanistan were put in to bat by Hong Kong. Afghanistan needed to beat Hong Kong and hope UAE lost to Oman to have a chance of qualifying for the main round.
After a slow start, the Afghans managed to put a decent target of 178 on the board. Najibullah Zadran was of the pick of the batsmen with his impressive 60 runs of 35 balls featuring 4 sixes and 3 boundaries. Captain Stanikzai was also phenomenal with his 49 runs.
In contrast, the Hong Kong openers set the stage with a good 56 runs partnership. After the departure of both openers in the 10th over, their innings trembled with wickets falling at regular intervals. Except for the openers Anshuman Rath 41 and KD Shah 29 no Hong Kong batsman stood for long on the pitch.
For the Afghans, spinners inflicted most of the damage upon the opponents with all-rounder Mohammad Nabi clinching four, Rashid Khan 2 and pacer Dawlat Zadran 2 wickets. Hong Kong lost all of its wickets in the 18th over with only 112 on the board.
With this victory, Afghanistan got much needed four points to left the UAE behind and top the group. In this competition so far, Afghanistan has beaten Oman but lost its match against the UAE.
The result of Monday’s encounter between the UAE and Oman would decide whether Afghanistan would make it through to the Asia Cup T20 tournament or not.
ENDS
