The final match of Thursday’s triple-header of the T20 World Cup saw Afghanistan dominate Canada in Chennai, with to finish their campaign on a high.
Put into bat, Afghanistan’s opening pair once again started well, putting on 47 runs. However, star batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell for 30, and Afghanistan slipped to 49-2 in the Powerplay.
Ibrahim Zadran led the Afghanistan rebuild with a gritty half-century, his second successive fifty at the World Cup. His 95-run partnership with Sediqullah Atal (44) gave Afghanistan the perfect platform to launch the final few overs.
Carrying the bat through, Zadran scored his personal best knock of 95 off 56, which is also the highest score by an Afghan player in this edition of the World Cup. In a well-paced innings, he struck seven fours and five sixes.
For Canada, Jaskarandeep Singh was the most successful bowler and ended with 3-52 in four overs.
Chasing, Canada got off to a lively start as the previous game’s centurion Yuvraj Samra drove the very first ball from Mujeeb Ur Rahman for four. Skipper Dilpreet Bajwa followed with positive intent, striking a couple of beautifully timed maximums to keep the early momentum going.
But just as he looked to get going, Bajwa tried to make room against Mujeeb and was bowled, bringing Navneet Dhaliwal in at number three.
The Canadian stalwart endured a brief stay in what was his final international innings, chipping one straight to backward point to depart for a five-ball duck. Veteran spinner Mohammad Nabi was then introduced and made an immediate impact, removing Samra for 17. He struck again in the eighth over when Nicholas Kirton mistimed an effort, safely pouched by first-innings hero Zadran.
Wickets continued to tumble as the fifth fell quickly and saw Ziaur produce a fine catch in the deep to dismiss Shreyas Movva.
Harsh Thaker briefly counterattacked with flair, collecting a four and six off Ziaur immediately, and alongside Saad built a steady 53-run partnership to rebuild the chase.
The stand was eventually broken by Nabi, who returned to end Thaker’s resistance at 30. Saad soon followed, undone by a beauty from Rashid, before Nabi capped off his spell with his fourth wicket by removing Heyliger with the first ball of his final over. Canada were at 105-8 on 18.1 overs.
The remaining 11 deliveries did not see much action as Afghanistan won by 82 runs. (ICC)
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