New Delhi: Afghanistan cricket team kicked-off their journey in the T20 World Cup by defeating Scotland. Afghanistan, batting first, had given a big target of 191 runs to Scotland, which the opposition team failed to achieve and got all out for just 60 runs. Afghanistan's batsmen and bowlers both performed brilliantly in this match. Afghanistan vs Scotland T20 World Cup match turned out to be a one-sided affair and from start to finish, Afghanistan were on top and ultimately won the match.
Afghanistan batsman Najibullah Zadran scored a half-century, while Mujeeb ur Rahman took five wickets to rattle the Scotland cricket team. Star spinner Rashid Khan also took 4 wickets. After the Taliban took over the country, the team did not get enough time to prepare for the World Cup, but still the players showcased a great game.
In the match played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, Afghanistan scored 55 runs for the loss of 1 wicket in the power play. They got the initial blow in the form of Mohammad Shahzad (22). After this, Hazratullah Zazai scored 44 runs with the help of 3 fours and 3 sixes. Mark Watt clean bowled Zazai to send him back to the pavilion. Zardan and Gurbaz then made a great partnership of 87 runs off 52 balls.
Safyan Sharif took the highest two wickets for Scotland. Mark Watt and Josh Davy took 1 wickets apiece, while other bowlers proved to be very expensive in front of Afghanistan's batsmen.
The performance of the Scottish batsmen was very disappointing. Opener George Munsi scored the highest 25 runs for the team. Five batsmen of the team got out for zero. Only three batsmen could touch the double figure from the side of the team. For Afghanistan, Mujeeb ur Rahman took 5 wickets, while Rashid Khan took 4 wickets. Apart from these, Naveen-ul-Haq took one wicket.