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Home » Live Cricket Score » ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers, 2018 » Summary

West Indies vs Afghanistan Live Cricket Score, Final, ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers, 2018, March 25, 2018

WI 204/10 (46.5)
Afghanistan beat West Indies by 7 wickets
AFG 206/3 (40.4)
Match over
Commentary :
0.0 : It is the final. A match which usually should have a lot of significance. But not in this case. Windies and Afghanistan are playing against each other but not with too much to look forward to, except maybe for revenge. Both teams have already qualified for the 2019 World Cup and the groups they would be featuring in have been decided too. So why are they even playing this match? Well, as they say, Sundays are usually spent on the cricketing field, not just lazying at home. Hello and a warm wel
Jokes apart - this is a game for pride. Windies have played Afghanistan twice in this tournament and have been beaten on both occasions. While one team will look to make a hat-trick, the other will definitely look to avoid the same. Hopefully, we get a good game of cricket.
WEATHER - No rain. So that is good news first up. No predictions either, though I am no astrologer and conditions could change at any given time.
TOSS - Time for the spin of the coin. Jason Holder flips it, Heads is the call but it is a Tail. WINDIES WILL BAT FIRST.
Windies skipper, Jason Holder, says that it looks like a pretty good wicket and wants to put runs on the board. Adds that this is a very important game even though both teams have already qualified. Stresses that the Windies entered this tournament with a view to win it and hence the importance. Is raring to play Afghanistan and get a win against them. Informs that they are unchanged from the previous game.
The Afghan captain, Asghar Stanikzai, is very happy that his team has qualified for the final. On the toss, he says that the wicket looks pretty good so bowling or batting first does not matter. On the game today, he believes that winning is important. He informs that his side is unchanged as well.
PITCH REPORT - Dirk Nannes doing the pitch report says that the wicket has a few areas having some variance in the coverage of grass. Might have a fraction of nip but more or less, a good batting deck, he says.
Time now for the national anthems. The Afghanistan one first up.
'Rally..... Rally round the West Indies...' dies down with an applause and that signals the end of the anthems. Time to play some cricket now.
The players take their positions on the field. They say, fear the calm behind the storm. Two destructive openers - Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis - walk out calmly. When will they start to explode? From ball 1? Dawlat Zadran to bowl first up to Gayle. Here we go...
0.1 : D Zadran to C Gayle, Full and straight, defended back to the bowler.
0.2 : D Zadran to C Gayle, On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. Off the mark are C and W - Chris and Windies.
0.3 : D Zadran to C Gayle, Full and outside off, punched towards mid off.
0.4 : D Zadran to C Gayle, A bouncer now, down the leg side, Chris ducks.
0.5 : D Zadran to C Gayle, That is a beauty. Dawlat means money in Urdu and Hindi. And that is exactly what Mr. Zadran does. Pitches this up on a length around off, CG has to play at it but then the ball moves away off the seam just a touch and beats him.
0.6 : D Zadran to C Gayle, Full and straight, watchfully defended.
Mujeeb Zadran to bowl with the second new ball.
1.1 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. Both openers are off the mark.
1.2 : Ur Rahman to C Gayle, Around off, pushed back to the bowler.
1.3 : Ur Rahman to C Gayle, Short and outside off, Gayle punches it towards backward point and takes a quick single. There is a wild throw over the keeper but short mid-wicket mops it up.
1.4 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Down the leg side, Evin misses his flick and is hit on the pads.
1.5 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, The batsman appears to have been struck on the thigh pad.
1.6 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, On middle and leg, whipped towards short mid-wicket.
2.1 : D Zadran to C Gayle, On middle and leg, Gayle ducks. A bouncer that was.
2.2 : D Zadran to C Gayle, Around off and middle, pushed back to the bowler.
2.3 : D Zadran to C Gayle, A short ball, down the leg side, Gayle just helps it down to fine leg for a single.
2.4 : D Zadran to E Lewis, WIDE. Down the leg side, a tad short again, Lewis tries to do what Gayle did on the previous ball but misses.
D Zadran to E Lewis, Corrects his line, lands it in front of the stumps, Lewis stays behind and punches it towards mid off.
2.5 : D Zadran to E Lewis, The batsman defends it from within the crease.
2.6 : D Zadran to E Lewis, Outside off, angling away, left alone.
3.1 : Ur Rahman to C Gayle, Full and around middle, pushed back to the bowler.
3.2 : Ur Rahman to C Gayle, Down the leg side, Gayle looks to flick but the ball goes off the inside edge, onto his pads and through fine leg. A single taken.
3.3 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, On middle, pushed towards short mid-wicket.
3.4 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, FOUR! There comes the first boundary in the fourth over. A short ball, down the leg side. Lewis just helps it past short fine leg.
3.5 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Around middle, pushed back to the bowler.
3.6 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Short and outside off, Lewis looks to cut but misses.
4.1 : D Zadran to C Gayle, FOUR! There comes the second boundary! Storm brewing now? A length ball on middle, Gayle, who was just content on giving such stuff some respect in the previous overs has had enough. Just swings it through the line and clears mid on comfortably.
4.2 : D Zadran to C Gayle, Outside off, pushed towards point.
4.3 : D Zadran to C Gayle, Yes... signs are that the storm is definitely coming. A length ball outside off, Chris has a wild hack but misses. Extra bounce did him in.
4.4 : D Zadran to C Gayle, Full and outside off, CG looks to blast this out of the park again but is too far from the ball and toe-ends it wide of mid off for a run.
4.5 : D Zadran to E Lewis, Wow. Good ball, even better shout. On a good length, around middle, Lewis gets across and then shoulders arms. Is hit on the thighs as the ball goes through to the keeper and Afghanistan appeal. The umpire calmly shakes his head. Going well over...
4.6 : D Zadran to E Lewis, On a length outside off, shaping away, shouldered arms to again.
5.1 : Ur Rahman to C Gayle, OUT! Mujeeb gets his man again! Storm or not, well someone is there to delay the same. Massive, massive wicket for Afghanistan. The dangerous Chris Gayle is gone. It is the spinner again. He tosses this up outside off and Gayle's eyes light up. His first reaction is to send this out of the park. But he fails to read the wiliness in that delivery. Slowing up the pace. Gayle is already through his shot when the ball comes. Result? A leading edge, induced because of the
0.0 : Interesting. Shai Hope walks in at number 3, replacing Gayle.
5.2 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, A short ball down the leg side, Lewis looks to pull but misses and is hit on the thigh pads.
5.3 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Outside off now, pushed straight to cover.
5.4 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, One more short ball down the leg side, Evin looks to sit down and pull but the ball goes off his pads again, to short fine leg. They take a single and there is no signal, so must have been an inside edge.
5.5 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Outside off, punched towards cover.
5.6 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. Just a run and a wicket from that over for Mujeeb, whose figures read 3-0-8-1.
6.1 : D Zadran to E Lewis, WIDE. Way too far outside off, Lewis simply throws his bat at it and misses.
D Zadran to E Lewis, Outside off, angling away, left alone.
6.2 : D Zadran to E Lewis, Outside off, punched towards mid off.
6.3 : D Zadran to E Lewis, Yes, that is out! But only according to Mohammad Shahzad. A short ball, angling away from outside off, Evin slashes but misses. Shahzad collects and then throws the ball in the air in jubilation and on seeing that, his team mates feel bad and start to appeal. The ball missed the outside edge not by a whisker, but by a mile.
6.4 : D Zadran to E Lewis, Outside off, pushed to the off side.
6.5 : D Zadran to E Lewis, A bouncer now, on middle and leg, EL ducks. That almost took his head off.
6.6 : D Zadran to E Lewis, Down the leg side, Lewis looks to help it away but misses and is hit on the pads. A leg bye taken.
7.1 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Ooohh... full and outside off, Lewis looks to drive but the ball spins back in and takes the inside edge onto his pads.
7.2 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, A tad short, punched towards mid on.
7.3 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Similar ball, this time it is played with soft hands in front of mid on for a quick single.
7.4 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Nice loop outside off, Hope looks to drive but the ball comes slowly off the pitch and goes off the inside edge back to the bowler.
7.5 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Around off, punched down to long on for a run.
7.6 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, FOUR! Bad luck. A short ball outside off, Lewis punches it through point where Sharafuddin misfields and the ball goes through. Dawlat Zadran gives it a good chase from short third man and gets to the ball, only to kick it into the ropes.
8.1 : D Zadran to S Hope, Outside off, left alone.
8.2 : D Zadran to S Hope, Excellent fielding! Does not matter if this is a dead rubber. The Afghans are up for it. A short ball outside off, Hope punches it through the covers where Sharafuddin Ashraf dives full stretch to his right and stops it with one hand. Brilliant.
8.3 : D Zadran to S Hope, Landed outside off, punched behind point for an easy single.
8.4 : D Zadran to E Lewis, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot, this time towards short mid-wicket.
8.5 : D Zadran to E Lewis, That spit off the pitch. A short ball on middle, Lewis looks to defend but the ball bounces sharply and the batsman tries to fend it away. Then tries to take his hand away and the ball flies off the edge to the off side.
8.6 : D Zadran to E Lewis, FOUR! FLAMBOYANT! Nothing wrong with this delivery. Half volley outside off, Lewis comes forward and drives it wide of Rashid Khan at mid off to the fence.
9.1 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, 1000 ODI runs for Shai Hope! At an average close to 39. Not bad. On middle, Shai goes back and punches it down to long on for a single.
9.2 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, FOUR! Short and outside off, Lewis rocks back and crunches it through cover for a boundary.
9.3 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, FOUR! Another boundary! Full and down the leg side, Lewis gets down and sweeps it past short fine leg for boundaries in succession!
9.4 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, A short ball, punched down to mid on now.
9.5 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, FOUR! Excellent batting! Another short ball, this time Lewis punches it through the covers. Sharafuddin Ashraf covers a lot of ground from cover, reaches the ball, dives and tries to pull back in but in vain.
9.6 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Ball hits the batsman low on the pads. 43/1 in Powerplay 1.
POWERPLAY 2 time.
10.1 : G Naib to S Hope, That ball has taken the inside edge of the batsman and thudded into his pads.
10.2 : G Naib to S Hope, SIX! What a shot. On a length outside off, Hope swings it way over long on!
10.3 : G Naib to S Hope, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
10.4 : G Naib to S Hope, Outside off, steered to third man for a single.
10.5 : G Naib to E Lewis, What has happened there? A short ball wide outside off, Lewis slashes hard and gets a thick outside edge which almost carries to third man. Lewis thinks he is a goner and does not run. Then sees that the ball is not carrying to third man and starts to run. Now Hope, who had already started to run but then stopped on seeing Lewis stationary, sends his partner back.
10.6 : G Naib to E Lewis, OUT! Edged and gone!
Marlon Samuels walks in at number 4, replacing Lewis.
Mohammad Nabi to bowl now.
11.1 : M Nabi to S Hope, No run.
11.2 : M Nabi to S Hope, The batsman has played it to the point region for a single.
11.3 : M Nabi to M Samuels, Full and around off, watchfully defended.
11.4 : M Nabi to M Samuels, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
11.5 : M Nabi to S Hope, Full and outside off, driven towards mid off for a quick run.
11.6 : M Nabi to M Samuels, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.
Sharafuddin Ashraf to bowl now.
12.1 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Outside off, pushed towards cover.
12.2 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
12.3 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Down the leg side, helped fine for a single.
12.4 : S Ashraf to S Hope, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
12.5 : S Ashraf to S Hope, Full on middle, pushed down to long on for a single.
12.6 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Outside off, pushed to the off side.
Gulbadin Naib to bowl now.
13.1 : G Naib to S Hope, Outside off, left alone.
13.2 : G Naib to S Hope, Outside off, pushed to point.
13.3 : G Naib to S Hope, Full on middle, pushed towards long on for a single.
13.4 : G Naib to M Samuels, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
13.5 : G Naib to M Samuels, A short ball, pulled away for a run.
13.6 : G Naib to S Hope, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
14.1 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
14.2 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, On middle and leg, flicked away for a single.
14.3 : S Ashraf to S Hope, Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a single.
14.4 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Played to the point region by the batsman.
14.5 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, The batsman works it down the leg side.
14.6 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a single.
15.1 : G Naib to M Samuels, The batsman defends it from within the crease.
15.2 : G Naib to M Samuels, The batsman gets an inside edge on that which goes fine down the leg side.
15.3 : G Naib to M Samuels, Short and outside off, Samuels looks to cut but gets a bottom edge.
15.4 : G Naib to M Samuels, A short delivery which has been pulled away.
15.5 : G Naib to M Samuels, FOUR! Outside off, steered through point for a boundary!
15.6 : G Naib to M Samuels, SIX.
16.1 : S Ashraf to S Hope, 1 run.
16.2 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Played straight to point.
16.3 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
16.4 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Outside off, played straight to point.
16.5 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
16.6 : S Ashraf to S Hope, Ball hits the batsman low on the pads.
17.1 : G Naib to M Samuels, A bouncer to start the over, Samuels ducks.
17.2 : G Naib to M Samuels, OUT! Straight to the man! A short ball, Samuels pulls it but it is straight to short mid-wicket. Rahmat Shah does not have to move even an inch. What a waste of a wicket.
Shimron Hetmyer is in now...
17.3 : G Naib to S Hetmyer, Punched off the back foot by the batsman.
17.4 : G Naib to S Hetmyer, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
17.5 : G Naib to S Hetmyer, Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single.
17.6 : G Naib to S Hope, Outside off, left alone.
Mohammad Nabi is on again...
18.1 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, Full and around off, watchfully defended.
18.2 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, IN THE AIR... SAFE! Tossed up outside off, Hetmyer comes down the track and looks to go big. He mistimes it and Dawlat Zadran runs back from mid on for the catch. Almost gets to the ball but it lands out of reach. He then almost kicks it towards the ropes but has to dive and pull it back in. Two runs taken.
18.3 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
18.4 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a single.
18.5 : M Nabi to S Hope, Pushes it through mid off for a run.
18.6 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
19.1 : G Naib to S Hope, Full on middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
19.2 : G Naib to S Hope, Outside off, punched through the covers for a couple.
19.3 : G Naib to S Hope, Flicks it away for a run.
19.4 : G Naib to S Hetmyer, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
19.5 : G Naib to S Hetmyer, FOUR! Goes for the yorker, does Naib but ends up bowling a low full toss. Hetmyer swings it through mid-wicket and finds the boundary.
19.6 : G Naib to S Hetmyer, Full and wide outside off, Shimron reaches out to drive but gets a thick outside edge which almost carries to third man. Just a single.
Finally he is here. Rashid Khan to bowl.
20.1 : R Khan to S Hetmyer, That ball has taken the inside edge onto the pads.
20.2 : R Khan to S Hetmyer, Full and around off, watchfully defended.
20.3 : R Khan to S Hetmyer, Short and outside off, cut straight to backward point.
20.4 : R Khan to S Hetmyer, FOUR! Down the leg side, Hetmyer tickles it fine and gets a boundary.
20.5 : R Khan to S Hetmyer, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
20.6 : R Khan to S Hope, Full on middle, pushed down to long on for a single.
Mohammad Nabi is back on.
21.1 : M Nabi to S Hope, Flicks this away for a single.
21.2 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
21.3 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, The batsman gets to the pitch of the ball and connects.
21.4 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, Tossed up wider outside off, Hetmyer reaches out and drives it straight to short extra cover.
21.5 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, Comes down the track this time and flicks it straight to short mid-wicket.
21.6 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, Nicely done. Short and outside off, Shimron goes back and cuts it behind point. Dawlat runs back from short third man and gets to it before it makes it to the fence. Two runs taken.
22.1 : R Khan to S Hetmyer, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
22.2 : R Khan to S Hetmyer, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
22.3 : R Khan to S Hope, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. The batsmen have run through for a single.
22.4 : R Khan to S Hetmyer, Gone! No? Full and outside off, Hetmyer goes back to cut but misses. There is a massive inside edge but Shahzad does not appeal. Rashid does but the umpire shakes his head.
22.5 : R Khan to S Hetmyer, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.
22.6 : R Khan to S Hope, OUT! Hope is gone! Well, but has he hit it? On middle, Hope looks to pull but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. Rashid appeals and up goes the finger! 100 ODI wickets for Rashid! Big achievement. This should not have been a wicket but the fourth ball should have been.
Jason Holder comes in now.
23.1 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, The batsman has driven it through mid off.
23.2 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, OUT! Another one departs! West Indies are losing their way now as half the side is back in the hut. Hetmyer skips down the track to this tossed up delivery and lofts it over extra cover. They run the first one hard and go for another as well. Rahmat Shah from long off sprints across to his right and does well to stop the ball. The batsmen look to seal another and Holder responds to his partner. But Hetmyer at the last moment sends him back. The throw comes in towards t
Rovman Powell walks in
23.3 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, Full and around off, watchfully defended.
23.4 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, The batsman drives this through the covers. One run added to the total.
23.5 : M Nabi to R Powell, Outside off, Powell plays inside the line and almost edges it.
23.6 : M Nabi to R Powell, Driven towards cover.
24.1 : R Khan to S Hetmyer, Flatter on the stumps, punched off the back foot.
24.2 : R Khan to S Hetmyer, Fuller around middle, worked towards the leg side.
24.3 : R Khan to S Hetmyer, An appeal for LBW! Quicker ball on middle, Hetmyet looks to swipe it across the line but misses and wears it on the pads. A loud appeal but the height seemed to be an issue. No, replays show it's pitched outside leg.
24.4 : R Khan to S Hetmyer, FOUR! That will do! Around leg, Shimron gets down and sweeps it towards fine leg for a boundary.
24.5 : R Khan to S Hetmyer, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. Two runs added to the total.
24.6 : R Khan to S Hetmyer, Goes back and punches it towards point.
25.1 : M Nabi to R Powell, Straighter one on off, Rovman presses forward to defend but misses.
25.2 : M Nabi to R Powell, Floated around off, blocked into the ground.
25.3 : M Nabi to R Powell, Makes a bit of room and drives it to mid off.
25.4 : M Nabi to R Powell, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
25.5 : M Nabi to R Powell, Loops it up on off, bunted back to the bowler.
25.6 : M Nabi to R Powell, A maiden over from Nabi as Powell pushes this tossed up ball back towards him.
26.1 : R Khan to S Hetmyer, On a flatter trajectory, punched back to the bowler off the back foot.
0.0 : A short leg in place now...
26.2 : R Khan to S Hetmyer, Takes a stride forward to this googly and drives it through cover for a single.
26.3 : R Khan to R Powell, Sends it quicker through the air, it skids off the surface as the batsmen shoulders his arms.
26.4 : R Khan to R Powell, Another shout for an LBW! Powell is not picking Rashid at all. This one is a leg-break, pitches on middle and turns in to ping Rovman on the pads. They appeal but seemed like going down leg.
26.5 : R Khan to R Powell, Goes back to another flatter ball and misses to get hit high on the thigh pad.
26.6 : R Khan to R Powell, Full on off, patted into the cover region. Just a single from the over.
27.1 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, Darted around the pads, worked away towards mid-wicket for a single.
27.2 : M Nabi to R Powell, Another huge shout! Quicker ball, turning in from around off, Powell goes back to punch it away but seems to have gotten an inside on the pads and hence the appeal is turned down. Good decision as replays confirm the same.
27.3 : M Nabi to R Powell, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
27.4 : M Nabi to R Powell, Flicks it through mid-wicket and take a brace.
27.5 : M Nabi to R Powell, Goes back to a short ball and punches it towards cover.
27.6 : M Nabi to R Powell, Eases it down to long on for a single to end the over.
28.1 : R Khan to R Powell, Full and around off, Powell looks to defend but the ball goes off the inside edge to short fine leg.
28.2 : R Khan to R Powell, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
28.3 : R Khan to R Powell, Ball hits the batsman low on the pads. The fielding side is asking the question. The Umpire decides the batsman is not out.
28.4 : R Khan to R Powell, Works this through mid-wicket and gets a couple.
28.5 : R Khan to R Powell, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen have run through for a single.
28.6 : R Khan to S Hetmyer, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. A quick run taken.
29.1 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, Outside off, punched through point for a single.
29.2 : M Nabi to R Powell, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
29.3 : M Nabi to R Powell, SIX! HUMONGOUS! Brilliant shot. Full and outside off, Powell gets down and mows it over long on!
29.4 : M Nabi to R Powell, SIX! A miscue but a biggie again! Nabi tosses this up a bit more above the eyeline and Powell looks to go big once more. He is not quite to the pitch of the ball and mistimes it. Long off is interested but unluckily for him, the ball tips over the bar.
29.5 : M Nabi to R Powell, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
29.6 : M Nabi to R Powell, Pushes this down to long on for a quick run. 14 from the over.
Sharafuddin Ashraf is back on.
30.1 : S Ashraf to R Powell, Full and outside off, Powell works it towards short mid-wicket.
30.2 : S Ashraf to R Powell, Outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.
30.3 : S Ashraf to S Hetmyer, Outside off, pushed straight to point.
30.4 : S Ashraf to S Hetmyer, Nice shot. Comes down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and chips it over mid-wicket for a couple.
30.5 : S Ashraf to S Hetmyer, Comes down the track again and pushes this to cover.
30.6 : S Ashraf to S Hetmyer, Short and outside off, cut through the covers for a single.
Yes... Mujeeb Zadran is back on. That yes was not because I wanted it but because we sensed it. Afghanistan need a wicket. This partnership is getting dangerous for them. Also, Shahzad has something to say to Hetmyer who does not feel shy in giving it back. Cricket these days...
31.1 : Ur Rahman to S Hetmyer, Full and around off, pushed back to the bowler.
31.2 : Ur Rahman to S Hetmyer, On middle and leg, worked through the leg side for a single.
31.3 : Ur Rahman to R Powell, The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball - but fails.
31.4 : Ur Rahman to R Powell, Landed outside off, Rovman keeps his bat inside the line as he lets it go.
More sledging from Shahzad, this time to Powell.
31.5 : Ur Rahman to R Powell, The batsman defends it from within the crease.
31.6 : Ur Rahman to R Powell, Another forward defense to end the over.
32.1 : S Ashraf to S Hetmyer, A tad short on middle and leg, pulled through square leg for a couple.
32.2 : S Ashraf to S Hetmyer, Fuller this time, outside off, Hetmyer lunges and pushes it towards short third man.
32.3 : S Ashraf to S Hetmyer, Short now, cut straight to short third man.
32.4 : S Ashraf to S Hetmyer, Another long hop, pulled straight to short mid-wicket.
32.5 : S Ashraf to S Hetmyer, OUT! Ashraf gets the breakthrough! He fires this in, around off and Hetmyer looks to push it to the off side. But the ball goes away, takes the outside edge and Shahzad behind fumbles, but takes it in the second attempt. Hetmyer puts his head down in disappointment. The umpire raises his finger on the appeal and off goes Shimron. Looked really good while he was out there.
Remember the name. He will need to remind Afghanistan that today. Carlos Brathwaite walks in.
32.6 : S Ashraf to C Brathwaite, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
33.1 : Ur Rahman to R Powell, Full and around off, solidly defended.
33.2 : Ur Rahman to R Powell, FOUR! Full and around off, Powell swings mightily and all he gets is a thick inside edge. Luckily for him, the ball goes over short mid-wicket and races to the fence. The fielder in the deep makes a desperate attempt to stop the ball with a dive but in vain.
33.3 : Ur Rahman to R Powell, Around off, blocked back to the bowler.
33.4 : Ur Rahman to R Powell, Full and on off, once again Rovman swings hard. Gets another inside edge which goes straight to short fine leg.
33.5 : Ur Rahman to R Powell, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
33.6 : Ur Rahman to R Powell, Full and around off, pushed back to the bowler.
34.1 : S Ashraf to C Brathwaite, Full and around off, pushed to the leg side for a quick single.
34.2 : S Ashraf to R Powell, Full again, eased down to long on for a run.
34.3 : S Ashraf to C Brathwaite, SIX! IMPERIOUS! There comes the first one. For CB, that is. Full and outside off, Brathwaite just dispatches it out of his presence with a swing over long on. New balls please!
That ball is not coming back. Out comes the box of balls for the replacement.
34.4 : S Ashraf to C Brathwaite, Full again, pushed down to long on for one.
34.5 : S Ashraf to R Powell, Outside off, pushed straight to cover.
34.6 : S Ashraf to R Powell, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman.
DRINKS are on the field. Wonder why didn't they do so when the ball was lost. Anyways. The Windies are approaching a T20 approach - hitting, counter-attacking and not really putting their heads down. That could take them past 250 but also could see them bowled out under 200.
Mujeeb Zadran is back on.
35.1 : Ur Rahman to C Brathwaite, Outside off, Brathwaite plays inside the line and is beaten.
35.2 : Ur Rahman to C Brathwaite, Another play and a miss. Almost a carbon copy of the previous ball. Shahzad appeals for a catch but the umpire says no.
35.3 : Ur Rahman to C Brathwaite, FOUR! MURDERED! This man won't die wondering. See ball, hit ball. Full and outside off, Brathwaite gets down and mows it over mid-wicket for a one-bounce boundary.
35.4 : Ur Rahman to C Brathwaite, Driven through mid on by the batsman. One run added to the total.
35.5 : Ur Rahman to R Powell, The ball strikes the batsman very low on the pads.
35.6 : Ur Rahman to R Powell, Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.
Rashid Khan is back on. 5 overs left for him.
36.1 : R Khan to R Powell, Around off, the googly straightaway, punched towards short mid-wicket.
36.2 : R Khan to R Powell, Now the leggie, punched towards long on but short mid-wicket intercepts with a dive to his left.
36.3 : R Khan to R Powell, Very full, pushed through mid on for a single.
36.4 : R Khan to C Brathwaite, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.
36.5 : R Khan to R Powell, Full and around off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
36.6 : R Khan to R Powell, Pushes this towards long on for a run.
Dawlat Zadran is back on.
37.1 : D Zadran to R Powell, Around off, defended back to the bowler.
37.2 : D Zadran to R Powell, A length ball on middle, skewed over mid on for a couple.
37.3 : D Zadran to R Powell, Outside off, tapped behind point for a single.
37.4 : D Zadran to C Brathwaite, OUT! There goes number 7. Total waste of a wicket. See ball, hit ball, bye bye. A length ball outside off, Brathwaite just looks to pull this out of the ground but is nowhere near the ball. Gets into an awkward position and gets a top edge. Mid off gets across to his right and takes a dolly. That is just a poor shot. Only a wild swing, no sense in picking the balls to hit. Windies going down the barrel.
Who is left now? The bowlers. Perhaps not what the doctor ordered at this stage. Ashley Nurse in a lot sooner than he would have liked.
37.5 : D Zadran to A Nurse, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. One run added to the total.
37.6 : D Zadran to R Powell, A bouncer on off, Powell ducks. 4 runs and a wicket from the comeback over - 6-0-19-1 for Dawlat so far.
38.1 : R Khan to A Nurse, On middle, whipped through square leg for a single.
38.2 : R Khan to R Powell, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. They pick up a single.
38.3 : R Khan to A Nurse, Outside off, punched straight to cover.
38.4 : R Khan to A Nurse, Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
38.5 : R Khan to R Powell, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. They pick up a single.
38.6 : R Khan to A Nurse, Full and around off, watchfully defended.
39.1 : D Zadran to R Powell, Outside off, steered to third man for a single.
39.2 : D Zadran to A Nurse, A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a run.
39.3 : D Zadran to R Powell, The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery.
39.4 : D Zadran to R Powell, Outside off, dabbed to third man for a single.
39.5 : D Zadran to A Nurse, FOUR! A short ball, outside off, Nurse looks to pull but miscues it. The ball goes in the air but lands in between the two fielders into the mid-wicket fence.
39.6 : D Zadran to A Nurse, The batsman does well to stand tall and play that short delivery.
Powerplay 3 time. 5 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle.
40.1 : R Khan to R Powell, Outside off, punched down to long on for a single.
40.2 : R Khan to A Nurse, FOUR! Good shot. Full on middle, Nurse gets down and sweeps it over short fine leg for a boundary.
40.3 : R Khan to A Nurse, The batsman has played the paddle sweep. One run added to the total.
40.4 : R Khan to R Powell, Outside off, pushed towards point for a single.
40.5 : R Khan to A Nurse, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. They pick up a single.
40.6 : R Khan to R Powell, Full and straight, well defended.
Mohammad Nabi is back on.
41.1 : M Nabi to A Nurse, Full and straight, defended back to the bowler.
41.2 : M Nabi to A Nurse, On leg and middle, pushed to the off side. Nurse wants a single but is sent back.
41.3 : M Nabi to A Nurse, RUN OUT CHANCE, MISSED! Rovman Powell has run two. And the Windies have scored none. Full on middle and leg, Ashley presses this to the leg side and calls for a quick single. Powell responds but then Nurse sees Sharafuddin Ashraf charging onto the ball from short mid-wicket and stops. Rovman is too quick and comes too close to him to shake hands. Nurse prefers to go back now and it should have been an easy run out at the bowler's end. But in his excitement, Ashraf return
41.4 : M Nabi to A Nurse, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
41.5 : M Nabi to R Powell, The batsman works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.
41.6 : M Nabi to A Nurse, The ball has been square driven by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Well, he missed the run out chance. So as a punishment, the skipper has given him the ball to give him a breakthrough. Sharafuddin Ashraf to bowl now.
42.1 : S Ashraf to A Nurse, Full and around off, pushed towards cover.
42.2 : S Ashraf to A Nurse, On middle and leg, played with soft hands towards mid-wicket for a quick single.
42.3 : S Ashraf to R Powell, A tad short, punched towards long on for a run.
42.4 : S Ashraf to A Nurse, Short again, pushed through the covers for a couple now.
42.5 : S Ashraf to A Nurse, Outside off, placed straight to point.
42.6 : S Ashraf to A Nurse, Full again, pressed to the off side.
Mohammad Nabi continues...
43.1 : M Nabi to R Powell, Full on middle and leg, pushed back to the bowler.
43.2 : M Nabi to R Powell, Short and outside off, punched towards short mid-wicket.
43.3 : M Nabi to R Powell, A short ball down the leg side, Powell misses his flick and the ball goes off his pads to Mohammad Shahzad who fumbles.
43.4 : M Nabi to R Powell, Full and outside off, pushed towards cover.
43.5 : M Nabi to R Powell, On middle and leg, pushed towards long on for a single.
43.6 : M Nabi to A Nurse, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Mujeeb Ur Rehman is back on.
44.1 : Ur Rahman to R Powell, Straightaway induces an outside edge as Powell looks to drive. The ball goes to short third man.
44.2 : Ur Rahman to R Powell, Outside off, pushed wide of cover for a single.
44.3 : Ur Rahman to A Nurse, WIDE. Nurse gets down and across to paddle and Mujeeb fires it down the leg side. Should that have been a wide?
Ur Rahman to A Nurse, An appeal for a catch now. Full and outside off, Ashley pushes but misses.
44.4 : Ur Rahman to A Nurse, Full and outside off, this time AN connects with his paddle and gets it towards short fine leg. Hang on. Leg bye signalled.
44.5 : Ur Rahman to R Powell, Full again, Powell looks to unwind but does not quite get the speed as the ball comes on very slowly. Prefers to defend.
44.6 : Ur Rahman to R Powell, On middle, worked wide of long on for a couple.
Rashid Khan is back on.
45.1 : R Khan to A Nurse, Full and around off, watchfully defended.
45.2 : R Khan to A Nurse, MISFIELD, FOUR! Poor from Rashid, poorer from Dawlat. Full and on middle, Nurse gets down and paddles it through fine leg. Dawlat Zadran jogs to his right from short fine leg, gets to the ball but is lazy to bend and the ball goes through. 200 UP FOR THE WINDIES. How many more?
45.3 : R Khan to A Nurse, Tucks it through square leg for a single.
45.4 : R Khan to R Powell, Pushes this to long on for one more.
45.5 : R Khan to A Nurse, The batsman has played it fine down the leg side. They pick up a single.
45.6 : R Khan to R Powell, The batsman failed to make contact and was hit low on the pads. A strong appeal from the bowler and fielders. The Umpire decides the batsman is not out.
46.1 : Ur Rahman to A Nurse, Full and outside off, pressed wide of long on for a single.
46.2 : Ur Rahman to R Powell, OUT! BOWLED! The off stump is in the gloves of Shahzad. A quick off spinner, outside off, almost a dart, Powell looks to get this out of the park with an almighty heave. Misses and the ball crashes into the off stump, uproots it and Mohammad Shahzad, who is standing up to collect the ball, collects the timber instead. Rovman could have perhaps delayed his intentions by a couple of more overs. But a terrific innings nevertheless.
Keemo Paul walks in at number 10, replacing Powell.
46.3 : Ur Rahman to K Paul, A short ball down the leg side, Paul looks to flick but the ball goes off his pads to short fine leg.
46.4 : Ur Rahman to K Paul, OUT! LBW! Mujeeb has his second in the over. Landed outside off, Paul lunges to defend but the ball spins back in sharply and catches him plumb in front of the wickets. Easy decision for the umpire.
Kemar Roach is the last man in. 20 balls left...
46.5 : Ur Rahman to K Roach, OUT! BOWLED! The Windies have been bowled out with 19 balls to spare. Criminal offense, irrespective of the match result. This is a googly from Mujeeb, bowling it from the back of the hand, like India's Anil Kumble. Roach lunges to defend, just like Paul, but misses the ball. The off stump is pegged back and the Windies have set a target of 205 for Afghanistan.
Have you ever observed a warm-up match? Where one team plays for some batting and bowling practice while the other is playing simply because you cannot have bowling machines on a cricket ground. Well, this so-called final is no different. Afghanistan, still, have bowled superbly but the batting from the Windies was nothing short of listless.
Dawlat - meaning money in Urdu - was right on the money from his end while Mujeeb gave him good company. The Windies stuttered in Powerplay 1, lost Chris Gayle early but then recovered nicely. Evin Lewis and Shai Hope played really well but then, the game turned.
Gulbadin Naib got rid of Evin Lewis and the Windies started to lose patience. The wicket is a slow one but no one was ready to work for his runs. Some really poor cricket saw them slip to 101/5 and then Hetmyer and Powell tried to play some proper cricket. But once the former was dismissed, the momentum went back to the Afghans.
44 was the highest score in the Windies' innings. That tells you the story about the pitch. But it certainly is not a 204 all out one and Deep Dasgupta on air reckons that it is at least 20-30 runs below par.
Full credit to Afghanistan for playing with full concentration in a 'who-cares-what-happens-whoever-wins' game. They stuck to their strength, being spin. Dawlat Zadran kept things nice and tight in Powerplay 1 but Mujeeb Ur Rehman was the one who did the big damage by removing Chris Gayle early. Then Naib chipped in with the wickets of Evin Lewis and Marlon Samuels, paving the way for Mujeeb to clean up the tail. The offie-cum-leggie picked up 4 wickets, leaving us confused as to what does he ac
Dawlat Zadran says that the plan was set by the coach, expecting the Windies to take the bowlers on in the initial overs. Hence the idea was to bowl a tight line and length. Praises Mujeeb Ur Rehman for his support from the other end with the new balls. Adds that he just bowled with free rhythm today, devoid of any tension but considers this game as still important.
John Mooney, Afghanistan's fielding coach, says that bowling is Afghanistan's strength. Praises Mujeeb for taking care of the Windies' tail. 205 will be taken every day, says Mooney. Laughs on the possibility of Afghanistan being knocked out even before the Super Six but then being lucky to get in. Then says that the first game against the Windies in the Super Six changed the confidence. On Afghanistan's issues with the bat in this tournament, John says that the middle overs have been the proble
So who will win the game? Afghanistan? Windies? A tie? Do join us in a few minutes' time to check whether the Men In Maroon show some gumption with the ball.