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Scotland v Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s decision to bat first in the favorable conditions of Port of Spain proved to be wise as Gulbadin Naib and Rahmanullah Gurbaz provided a fiery start.
Naib’s onslaught, particularly in the second over where he plundered 20 runs off Brandon McMullen, set the tone for Afghanistan’s aggressive intent. Although Gurbaz and later Ibrahim Zadran couldn’t sustain the momentum, Naib’s explosive innings propelled Afghanistan forward.
Naib’s fifty off just 21 balls in the sixth over was a testament to his exceptional hitting ability. Despite losing partners, Naib remained undeterred, continuing his assault on the Scottish bowlers. The innings seemed destined for a substantial total as Naib relentlessly dispatched the ball to the boundary.
However, his innings was cut short in the 10th over by Chris Greaves, caught by Scotland skipper Richie Berrington. Naib’s departure marked a significant breakthrough for Scotland, halting Afghanistan’s charge momentarily. Nonetheless, his contribution laid a solid foundation for Afghanistan’s innings, giving them a platform to build upon.
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When Scotland began their chase, Afghanistan’s bowlers wasted no time in making an impact. Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck early to break the opening partnership, and Naveen-ul-Haq followed suit by dismissing George Munsey in the subsequent over.
The Afghanistan spinners then tightened their grip on the game, with Mujeeb claiming another wicket and Rashid Khan delivering a crucial blow by removing Scotland’s captain, Richie Berrington. Karim Janat chipped in with further breakthroughs, leaving Scotland’s lower order struggling to keep up with the required run rate.
Ultimately, Afghanistan emerged victorious by a margin of 55 runs, providing a strong finish to their preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Their first match is scheduled against Uganda on June 4, while Scotland will kick off their campaign against England in Barbados.
Although Ireland’s Paul Stirling and George Dockrell showed promise with their brisk innings, Sri Lanka managed to maintain the upper hand by consistently taking wickets.
The island nation’s bowlers, spearheaded by Dasun Shanaka’s exceptional spell of 4/23, ensured that Ireland’s chase faltered, ultimately resulting in a comfortable 41-run victory for Sri Lanka.
Shanaka’s standout performance with the ball played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s triumph, showcasing his ability to deliver crucial breakthroughs at crucial moments.
