Web Posted on Sun. 19th Feb. 2006
Dark horses Afghanistan added another feather to its cap by upsetting fancied Kuwait by a margin of 4 wickets in the ACC Middle East Cup 2006 played at KOC, Ahmadi ground. Winning the toss, Kuwait skipper Mohammed Ali decided to bat first but were in deep trouble as they lost 3 quick wickets to the Afghanistan opening bowlers. Nadeem Mallik was caught at short cover of Hastigull whereas Mohd Nawaz was trapped in front of the stump by Dawlath Khan. Hastigull, in his next over had Hisham caught brilliantly by Mohd Nabi in the second slip. Kuwait would have been in more trouble had it not been for Saud Qamar & Mustanser who steadied the innings with a painstaking partnership of 74 runs for the 5 th wicket. Saud Qamar impressed greatly as he slowly built up the platform and then started playing some wonderful shots. Mustanser who was playing steadily lost his patience and swung at a delivery to be bowled by Hameed Hassan for 26 runs. Saud in an attempt to square cut Mohd Nabi edged one to his stumps for a valuable 68 runs. Yaseen Mughal & Mohd Ali added another 24 runs when Karim Sadiq foxed Yaseen to be caught at point and Mohd Ali was declared LBW to Hameed Hassan. Both the batsmen scored 15 runs. A lightning knock of 28 runs in 13 balls by Khashif with 3 sixes & a four brought some respectability to the Kuwait total as they were all out for 185 runs in the 48 th over. Hastigull 2/22, Karim Sadiq 2/32, Abdul Nasser 2/14 were the most successful bowlers while Dawlat Khan, Hameed Hassan & Mohd Nabi picked a wicket each.
Afghanistan launched into a fierce attack right from the beginning as Karim Sadiq & Navroz Mangal took the attack to Kuwait camp. Navroz thumped Mohd Ali to the mid wicket for 2 consecutive fours while Sadiq was more aggressive on any short pitched ones. In his third over, Mohd Ali had Sadiq plump in front of the wicket and Nadeem Mallik accounted for Mohd. Asghar caught at the wicket by Hanees Babu. Navroz who was playing so well lifted a short pitched delivery from Hassan Arif to Nadeem Mallik at deep square leg for a flashy 29 runs which included 5 hits to the fence.
Afghanistan were in trouble as Mohd Ali coming in his second spell uprooted the middle stump of Mohd Nabi for 14 with a beautiful in swinger & then had Noor Ali caught by keeper Hanes Babu for 10 run thus placing Afghanistan with a score of 108 runs for the loss of 6 wickets. Samiulla joined Raees Ahmadzi the Afghan skipper and both survived some anxious moments but soon settled on a flat track. With a clear intension to win the match, the duo continued their positive approach and kept the score board tickling by playing the ball with great footwork and quick running between the wickets. Raees Ahmadzi played a captains knock and remained not out with a polished 37 runs with 4 boundaries. Samiullah, cut, drove and pulled in style to remain unbeaten with 46 runs in just 44 balls with 6 hits to the fence. Afghanistan scored 186 runs in the 43 rd over to win the match by 4 wickets. Mohd Ali took 3 wickets for 58 runs while Hassan Arif, Nadeem Mallik & Yaseen took a wicket each. Samiullah was declared man of the match for his timely and stylish knock of 46 runs.
