Afghanistan downs Nepal at the ICC World T20 Qualifier

Afghanistan recorded a nine-wicket victory over Nepal in an encounter reduced to seven overs a side on day eight of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2013 (WT20Q) at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday.

In other Group B matches, an unbeaten 67 by Matt Machan saw Scotland defeat Group B leader Netherlands by 15 runs, while rain forced the match between Papua New Guinea and Denmark to be abandoned without a ball being bowled.

In Group A, Ireland defeated Uganda by 48 runs, Hong Kong outclassed the USA by 67 runs and the UAE defeated the Canada by 36 runs.

At Sharjah Cricket Stadium, an unbeaten 43 from wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Shahzad led Afghanistan to victory over Nepal by nine wickets in a match reduced to seven overs. Sent in to bat, Nepal quickly ensured it found the boundaries, with Sagar Pun striking a 14-ball 22 and Gyanendra Malla facing only nine deliveries for his unbeaten knock of 23, and Nepal piled on 73 runs for three from its seven overs.

Merwais Ashraf was the star bowler of the day, claiming the wickets of openers Pun and Subash Khakurel (16).

In response, Afghanistan’s Shahzad struck three fours and as many sixes on his way to 43 not out, and Nawroz Mangal contributed 22 from 11 deliveries, before Shahzad struck a six to overtake the target and take Afghanistan to 78 for the loss of one wicket in 6.2 overs.

Afghanistan now moves to the top of the Group B table, two points clear of the Netherlands.

At ICC Academy Oval 1, Scotland secured its third victory of the tournament on the back of an unbeaten 46-ball 67 by Matt Machan at ICC Academy Oval 1, Dubai. Machan, Rob Taylor (41 not out) and Richie Berrington (38) led Scotland to a total of 165 for four from its allotted overs, and, despite an unbeaten 70 from Wesley Barresi, Netherlands was not able to put on the runs required, finishing on 150 for six.

In Abu Dhabi, the UAE recorded its fourth victory of the tournament when it defeated Canada by 36 runs at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, despite a man of the match performance from Canada’s Harvir Baidwan (four for 23).  The host posted a total of 159 for eight and then dismissed Canada for 123 on the penultimate delivery of the encounter.

Defending champion and Group A leader Ireland defeated Uganda by 48 runs at the same venue in the afternoon, with Gary Wilson posting 40 from 27 balls (3 fours, 1 six) in a man of the match performance.  The defending champion finished on 147 for four before George Dockrell (two for 12) and Paul Stirling (two for 23) combined to restrict Uganda to 99 for seven from its 20 overs.

At Abu Dhabi Oval 2, Hong Kong defeated the USA by 67 runs. Jamie Atkinson again led the way with the bat, scoring 74 to lead his side to 169 for four.  Munir Dar then made short work of the USA batting lineup, claiming four for 17 to help dismiss the USA for 102 in 19.1 overs.