share
442827F
Home » Live Cricket Score » ICC World Twenty20, 2021 » commentary

Afghanistan vs Namibia Live Commentary, Super 12 - Match 27, ICC World Twenty20, 2021, October 31, 2021

AFG 160/5 (20)
Afghanistan beat Namibia by 62 runs
NAM 98/9 (20)
Match over
Afghanistan Inning Namibia Inning
0.0 : The Afghans love batting first, Namibia have done better chasing and we believe chasing will be their best chance of winning the game. Will we see any one of the skipper go a different way today? We will find out as the toss will be coming in a bit.
... MATCH DAY ...
The never give up attitude almost saw the Afghans get over the line against Pakistan. A 24-run over from Janat though sees them head into this encounter with one win in two. They though are overwhelming favourites against their opponents today. Namibia though have been performing better than one has expected them too. However, this will probably be the toughest test they have faced so far. Can they pull a rabbit out of the hat here?
The real test for Namibia is going to be the three Afghan spinners. They will somehow have to find a way to tackle them. Scotland struggled big time, Pakistan also did not have the best of times and we won’t be surprised if Namibia also find it difficult. If they do find a way, we could well be in for a good game.
TOSS - Both the skippers are out in the middle for an all-important toss. The coin goes up and lands in favour of Afghanistan. They have opted to BAT first.
Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Shahzad (WK), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi (C), Najibullah Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Hamid Hassan (In for Mujeeb Ur Rahman).
Namibia (Unchanged playing XI) - Pikky Ya France, Zane Green (WK), Craig Williams, Gerhard Erasmus (C), David Wiese, JJ Smit, Jan Frylinck, Michael Van Lingen, Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Ruben Trumpelmann, Bernard Scholtz.
PITCH REPORT - There is a bit of grass on the surface but it is pretty dry and patchy. The bowlers will have to use their variations and the batters might enjoy if they apply themselves well.
Update - This will be Asghar Afghan's last game for Afghanistan. A true legend of Afghanistan cricket. He has inspired a lot of young kids back at home. Can Afghan make the last innings count?
Mohammad Nabi, Afghanistan skipper, says that they will bat first because the wicket looks good for batting. Mentions that there were a lot of plus points in the last game and is proud of the boys. About Asghar Afghan's retirement, Nabi mentions that Asghar has been a great servant of Afghanistan cricket for the past 16 years and wishes him all the best for life after cricket. Informs that there is one change, Mujeeb is out and Hamid is in.
The Namibian skipper, Gerhard Erasmus says, they have chased well in this field, now it is an opportunity for the bowlers to put pressure on early on. Adds, they have planned the same way they did against Sri Lanka. They just have to make sure they stick to the plan.
The teams are out in the middle for their respective national anthems. It will be the national anthem of Namibia first, followed by the national anthem of Afghanistan.
We are ready for play! The umpires are out in the middle, followed by the players of Namibia. The Afghanistan openers, Mohammad Shahzad and Hazratullah Zazai stride out as well. The players from both teams are seen, standing in solidarity in support of the 'Black Lives Matter' movement. Ruben Trumpelmann to get us underway with the ball.
0.1 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, Right on the money to begin with! Length and around off, Zazai looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
0.2 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, FOUR! Put away! Off the mark with a boundary but in a streaky manner. Short and wide outside off, Zazai reaches out for it, it flies off the outside edge and down to the third man fence in a flash.
0.3 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, WIDE! Down the leg side, Zazai looks to flick but misses. Wided.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, Good length and on off, Zazai stands tall and pushes it to covers.
0.4 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, Really well bowled! Hint of movement! Length and on off, it lands and moves away. Zazai pushes  but gets beaten.
0.5 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, SIX! Over the fence! That is right in the slot! Fuller and outside off, Zazai drags it over the long on fence for a biggie. 11 from the first over already.
0.6 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, A good delivery to end but the damage was done earlier on! Length and outside off, Zazai looks to cut but does not connect. 11 from the first over of the game.
Who will bowl from the other end? It's going to be JJ Smit to steam in from the other end.
1.1 : JJ Smit to Mohammad Shahzad, Good length and on off, Shahzad defends it.
1.2 : JJ Smit to Mohammad Shahzad, Yet again on a length and on off, Shahzad hangs back and blocks toward cover for one. Mohammad Shahzad is off the mark.
1.3 : JJ Smit to Hazratullah Zazai, Slightly shorter in length and angles it into the body, Zazai looks to pull but misses and gets hit on the body.
1.4 : JJ Smit to Hazratullah Zazai, Shorter and on middle, Zazai works it through square leg and gets to the other end.
1.5 : JJ Smit to Mohammad Shahzad, Yet another single! On middle, this is worked towards mid-wicket for one.
1.6 : JJ Smit to Hazratullah Zazai, A quick run! On middle, Zazai works it towards mid on and gets to the other end. A good start by Smit.
2.1 : David Wiese to Hazratullah Zazai, In the air... safe! On the pads, this holds in the surface a touch. Zazai is early in the flick, it goes off the top edge, on the leg side in the mid-wicket region for one.
0.0 : A change in the attack straightaway as David Wiese comes on to bowl now.
2.2 : David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, Shorter and on off, Shahzad looks to cut but underedges it on the off side.
2.3 : David Wiese to Hazratullah Zazai, Shorter and on the body, Zazai pulls but does not beat short fine leg.
2.4 : David Wiese to Hazratullah Zazai, Shorter and outside off, Zazai does not pick the slower one, in the end, he guides it to point.
2.5 : David Wiese to Hazratullah Zazai, Another on the shorter side, Zazai once again finds point.
2.6 : David Wiese to Hazratullah Zazai, End of a superb over by David Wiese! This is also short and on the body, Zazai looks to pull but misses to get hit on the body.
Ruben Trumpelmann (1-0-11-0) comes on from the opposite end now.
3.1 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Mohammad Shahzad, Angled into the pads, Shahzad works it to mid-wicket for another run. Quite a cautious approach by Shahzad so far.
3.2 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, Back of a length and on off, Zazai pushes it to covers.
3.3 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, FOUR! Whipped away! On the pads, Zazai whips it through square leg and this one races away to the fence.
3.4 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, Shortish and outside off, not enough width to cut, Zazai mistimes it to covers.
3.5 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, FOUR! Finds the gap! Great placement! Ruben Trumpelmann is proving to be quite expensive today! Short and outside off, this is guided past point. This one races away to the fence.
3.6 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, Back of a length and on off, Zazai waits and then plays it to point.
4.1 : Jan Frylinck to Mohammad Shahzad, Angled into middle, Shahzad works it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
0.0 : Yet another bowling changes as Jan Frylinck is brought into the attack.
4.2 : Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, Shorter and on the body, Zazai looks to pull but misses to get hit on the body.
4.4 : Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, Yet another dot! On middle, cramping Zazai for room. He works it to mid-wicket.
4.3 : Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, A good bumper, it takes Zazai by surprise. He misses the pull.
4.5 : Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, FORTUNATE FOUR! That was so close! This is angled into the middle pole. Zazai looks to defend, it goes off the inside edge, past the leg pole and down to the fine leg fence.
4.6 : David Wiese (1-0-2-0) is back into the attack.
Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, SIX! That is huge! Out of here! On middle, a slower one. This is heaved over the mid-wicket fence for a huge one. The last two balls spoils the over.
5.1 : David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, Outside off, this is guided to short third man for one.
5.2 : David Wiese to Hazratullah Zazai, Just another one! One more slower one on the pads, this is worked through square leg for one.
5.3 : David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, FOUR! Mohammad Shahzad now joins the act! He says enough of being cautious. He pulls this short ball through mid-wicket and into the fence.
5.4 : David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, SIX! Over the fence! For a second the third man fielder might have felt he had a chance. All going Afghanistan's way at the moment! Short and outside off, Shahzad upper cuts it, it goes towards third man. The fielder leaps, gets a hand to it but it goes over. It does touch his hand but he had no chance at all.
5.5 : David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, Good comeback! A yorker and on middle, it is jammed back to the bowler.
5.6 : David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, A single to end the Powerplay and it is a superb one for the batting side! They are 50 for 0 after it. On middle, this is pushed down to mid on for one.
6.1 : JJ Smit to Mohammad Shahzad, A length ball, on middle, angled across. Shahzad taps it towards mid-wicket for a single.
6.2 : JJ Smit to Hazratullah Zazai, Length again, around middle and leg. Zazai pulls it towards deep square leg and rotates the strike.
6.3 : JJ Smit to Mohammad Shahzad, Mohammad Shahzad walks across the stumps a bit and Smit fires it in at the pads. Shahzad flicks it through square leg for another one.
6.4 : JJ Smit to Hazratullah Zazai, OUT! CAUGHT! Down goes the first wicket and JJ Smit has provided the much needed breakthrough for Namibia. This one is on the pads, Hazratullah Zazai picks it up nicely and whips it towards the backward square leg. Zazai hits it too well and the ball goes straight down the throat of Michael Van Lingen at the fence, who makes no mistake and Zazai has to depart after a solid start. Can this wicket swing the momentum the other way?
Rahmanullah Gurbaz walks out at number 3.
6.5 : JJ Smit to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Good-length ball, on middle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz defends it out.
6.6 : JJ Smit to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Beautiful delivery, slightly pitched up, in that channel around off. Gurbaz makes an ssured leave. Just 3 runs and a wicket off the over, a good one for Namibia.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton comes into the attack now. He replaces David Wiese.
7.2 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Nicely flighted, on off and this one grips a bit after pitching. Rahmanullah Gurbaz can't get forward and gets an outside edge towards short third man for one.
7.3 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, On middle, Shahzad looks to make room and drive through the off side but mistimes it badly.
7.4 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Down the leg side, Mohammad Shahzad will feel he missed out on this one as he paddles it straight to short fine leg.
7.1 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Quicker one, on the pads to start with from Nicol Loftie-Eaton. Shahzad nudges it towards mid-wicket and picks up an easy single.
7.5 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Shahzad looks to give himself room again but the bowler fires it in, on middle. Shahzad keeps it out.
7.6 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Nicely bowled. Slightly fuller, outside off and Mohammad Shahzad gets caught on the crease as the ball goes past the outside edge.
8.1 : Jan Frylinck to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, A length ball, angled at the body. Gurbaz dabs it down towards mid on and picks up a single.
8.2 : Jan Frylinck to Mohammad Shahzad, On off and eased down to long on for a single.
8.3 : Jan Frylinck to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Drop and run, good running. Good-length ball, around off. Gurbaz just drops it towards short cover and sets off for a quick single.
8.4 : Jan Frylinck to Mohammad Shahzad, FOUR! Mohammad Shahzad keeps moving inside the crease and Frylinck bangs in a short ball, on leg stump. Shahzad looks to hook but gets a top edge which flies over short fine leg and races away into the fence.
8.5 : Jan Frylinck to Mohammad Shahzad, Length ball, on top of off and Shahzad cuts it right off the stumps behind square on the off side and comes back for the second.
8.6 : Jan Frylinck to Mohammad Shahzad, Back of a length, on middle and stroked to wide long on for another one.
9.1 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Full and straight, Shahzad heaves it to wide long on for a run.
9.2 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Wow! What a delivery from Nicol Loftie-Eaton. This one is flighted, on middle and just turns a mile after pitching. Gurbaz is completely beaten as the ball goes agonisingly past the off stump.
9.3 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Slight mix up but it's fine. Full toss, on middle. Gurbaz slogs it towards the backward square leg fence, where the fielder cuts it off quickly. Gurbaz wants the second but Shahzad sends him back.
9.4 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, A touch short and this is pulled away to deep square leg for a run.
9.5 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, OUT! LBW! Nicol Loftie-Eaton has his reward for some fine bowling. Full and straight, Rahmanullah Gurbaz goes down on his knees, looking to sweep it away but misses it completely. The ball hits Gurbaz, full on the pads and the umpire raises his finger in a jiffy. Gurbaz does take the review, but UltraEdge and Ball Tracking confirm that there's no bat involved and the ball went on to hit middle stump. Namibia are right back in this match now.
Review! Rahmanullah Gurbaz takes it upstairs for an LBW review. The on-field decision is out. The UltraEdge shows that the bat is absent. The Ball Tracker shows three reds.
DRINKS! Zazai and Shahzad motored along really well at the start for Afghanistan, but the former slipped out and since then the runs have been coming in gradually. But at the brink of drinks Gurbaz lost his wicket as well. From 50-0 after the Powerplay, Afghanistan see themseleves at 68/2. This shows you that Namibia has made a great comeback in the game. They would hope to get a couple more wickets to put Afghanistan on the backfoot.
9.6 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Asghar Afghan, Full and on off, Asghar Afghan is off the mark straightaway in his final innings with a drive through cover for a single. Afghanistan are 69/2 at the halfway stage.
10.1 : Bernard Scholtz to Asghar Afghan, Floated up, outside off. Afghan strokes it through cover and rotates the strike.
10.2 : Bernard Scholtz to Mohammad Shahzad, Shahzad makes room and Scholtz follows him with a shortish ball. Shahzad gets it down to long on for a single.
10.3 : Bernard Scholtz to Asghar Afghan, Tossed up, on middle and defended out by Afghan.
10.4 : Bernard Scholtz to Asghar Afghan, On middle again and this is pushed down the ground for a single.
10.5 : Bernard Scholtz to Mohammad Shahzad, FOUR! Mohammad Shahzad has had enough and is looking to use brute force now. Slightly short and angled in on leg stump. Shahzad swings across the line and splits the gap between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg. The fielder at deep mid-wicket does dive in and get a hand on it but the ball ends up in the ropes.
10.6 : Bernard Scholtz to Mohammad Shahzad, Flatter one, on middle and driven through mid on for run.
0.0 : Asghar Afghan walks out to bat for the last time for Afghanistan. He gets a guard of honour from the Namibian players. What a sight, such respect makes the game even better. 
11.1 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, SIX! This is huge! Nicol Loftie-Eaton tosses it up, around leg stump, Shahzad just skips down the track and muscles it over the cow corner fence for a biggie.
11.2 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Skidding on around the middle stump, Shahzad can't get it away.
11.3 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Tossed up, full and drilled down to long on for a single.
11.4 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Asghar Afghan, Flatter one, on off. Afghan rocks back and works it on the leg side for another one.
11.5 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Nicely flighted, around off. Mohammad Shahzad waits for it and cuts it through cover-point for a couple.
11.6 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Quicker one, outisde off. Shahzad looks to cut but misses.
12.1 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Asghar Afghan, A length ball, angled in on off stump from around the wicket. Afghan defends it out.
0.0 : Ruben Trumpelmann (2-0-20-0) is back on. 
12.2 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Asghar Afghan, WIDE! Trumpelm ann looks to angle it on the pads but spills it down the leg side. Wided.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Asghar Afghan, A length ball, outside off. Asghar Afghan throws the kitchen sink at it but only makes connection with thin air.
12.3 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Asghar Afghan, Full and wide, squeezed towards cover for a single.
12.4 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Mohammad Shahzad, OUT! CAUGHT! Gerhard Erasmus has out foxed Mohammad Shahzad with the fly slip and Ruben Trumpelmann gets the big breakthrough. A length ball, on the stumps. Mohammad Shahzad walks across the off stump and looks to scoop it over the keeper. The ball goes off the top edge and loops up towards Bernard Scholtz at fly slip, who takes a simple catch.
Najibullah Zadran comes in at number 5.
12.5 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Najibullah Zadran, Fullish ball, on off. Zadran defends it out.
12.6 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Najibullah Zadran, Slightly slower and fuller, on off. Najibullah Zadran pats it back to the bowler. Just 2 runs and a wicket off the over.
13.1 : Gerhard Erasmus to Asghar Afghan, Afghan greets Gerhard Erasmus with a boundary. Tossed up, outside off. Afghan stays back and slashes it through point for a boundary. He timed it to perfection.
0.0 : Gerhard Erasmus, the skipper comes on to roll his arms.
13.2 : Gerhard Erasmus to Asghar Afghan, Full and on middle. Afghan flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.
13.3 : Gerhard Erasmus to Najibullah Zadran, Full and on off. Zadran on drives it to long on and gets a single.
13.5 : Gerhard Erasmus to Asghar Afghan, Darted on the pads, Afghan tucks it to square leg and gets a single.
13.4 : Gerhard Erasmus to Asghar Afghan, Loopy ball, full and on off. Afghan comes down the track. He looks to hit it down the ground. But the ball takes the bottom end and goes back to the bowler.
13.6 : Gerhard Erasmus to Najibullah Zadran, NOT OUT! Namibia wasted their review here. The ball was clearly going down leg, but Erasmus hoped otherwise and went for the review. Flighted, full and on leg. Zadran misses his flick and gets rapped on the pads. Erasmus appeals but the umpire is unmoved. Erasmus takes the review. The Ball Tracker shows the ball was missing the wickets.
14.1 : Jan Frylinck to Asghar Afghan, WIDE! A length ball, way outside off. Afghan leaves it alone. Wide called.
0.0 : Jan Frylinck (2-0-21-0) is back into the attack.
14.1 : Jan Frylinck to Asghar Afghan, SIX! ALL THE WAY! Afghan is on a roll here. A full-length ball, on off. Afghan gets on one knee and powers it over the long off fence for a biggie.
0.0 : After a lot of thought, Gerhard Erasmus decides to take the review for an LBW decision. UltraEdge shows there's clear daylight between bat and pad. Ball Tracker shows that the ball was going down the leg side. The onfield decision of NOT OUT stays and Namibia lose a review.
14.2 : Jan Frylinck to Asghar Afghan, WIDE! Fuller and wide outside off. Afghan looks to reach out but misses. Wide called by the umpire.
Jan Frylinck to Asghar Afghan, Back of a length and on off. Afghan hangs back and pulls it hard to deep mid-wicket. The ball lands safely though. The batters take a single.
14.3 : Jan Frylinck to Najibullah Zadran, FOUR! STREAKY! Unfortunate for the bowler. Back of a length, around off. Zadran looks to push it to the off side. But all he gets is in an inside edge. The ball goes past the stumps and into the boundary at fine leg.
14.4 : Jan Frylinck to Najibullah Zadran, A length ball, on off. Zadran defends it back to the bowler.
14.5 : Jan Frylinck to Najibullah Zadran, Nice slower delivery by Jan Frylinck. On a length, outside off. Zadran swings hard at it but misses.
14.6 : Jan Frylinck to Najibullah Zadran, A good end to the over by Jan Frylinck. Three dots to end. Slower, back of a length, on middle and leg. Zadran looks to pull it away but does not connect well.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton (3-0-16-1) comes back in to finish his spell.
15.1 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Asghar Afghan, Flatter and on off. Afghan plays it nonchalantly to mid off and gets a single.
15.2 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Najibullah Zadran, A couple runs this time! Loopy ball, full and outside off. Zadran slashes it through point. The batters pick two before the fielder cuts it out in the deep.
15.3 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Najibullah Zadran, Swing and a miss! Floated, full and outside off. Zadran tries to go after it but misses.
15.4 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Najibullah Zadran, WIDE! Full and going down leg. Zadran looks to flick it away but misses. Wide called.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Najibullah Zadran, OUT! LBW! Nicol Loftie-Eaton has been able to turn the ball and he has also helped in turning the game around for his side. He picks up his second wicket. Loopy ball, around off. The ball turns in a bit. Zadran looks to defend it out but misses. He gets rapped on the pads. This is plumb. The keeper and Nicol Loftie-Eaton appeal and the umpire raises his finger in a flash. Zadran is not happy with the decision and he opts for the review. The Ball T
Najibullah Zadran takes the review straightaway for an LBW decision. UltraEdge shows that there's no bat involved and Ball Tracking shows up three reds. OUT is the decision. Afghanistan lose the review as well.
The skipper, Mohammad Nabi is in at number 6.
15.5 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Nabi, Darted on the pads. Nabi tucks it to square leg and gets a single. Nabi gets off the mark straightaway.
15.6 : Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Asghar Afghan, Tossed up, outside off. Afghan taps it out to point. A good over by Nicol Loftie-Eaton, a wicket and just 5 runs off it.
16.1 : JJ Smit to Mohammad Nabi, FOUR! Nabi has cleared his intention here. A full-length ball, outside off. Nabi gets across and drives it through point for a boundary.
0.0 : JJ Smit (2-0-7-1) is brought back into the attack.
16.2 : JJ Smit to Mohammad Nabi, LEG BYE! NOT OUT! Nabi survives. Namibia lose their review. Back of a length, around off. Nabi comes across and looks to defend it out but misses. He gets rapped on the pads. Smit appeals but the umpire is unmoved. Smit wants to go for the review and Gerhard Erasmus goes with the bowler here. The UltraEgde shows that the bat is absent. The Ball Tracker shows that the ball is pitching outside leg and Namibia have no reviews left in the bank.
0.0 : Namibia have taken the review for an LBW decision. UltraEdge shows that there's no bat involved and Ball Tracking confirms that it's pitching outside leg. The onfield decision of NOT OUT stays and Namibia lose their final review.
16.3 : JJ Smit to Asghar Afghan, FOUR! Nicely played by Afghan. Full and on leg. Afghan shuffles across and tickles it fine. The ball races away to the boundary at fine leg.
16.4 : JJ Smit to Asghar Afghan, A length ball, on off. Afghan slaps it hard down the ground. Smit does well to put his hand out and make a stop.
16.5 : JJ Smit to Asghar Afghan, Short and outside off. The ball moves away. Afghan leaves it alone. Wide called.
JJ Smit to Asghar Afghan, In the air, but safe! Full and on off. Afghan looks to flick it to the leg side. The ball though does towards the long off region off the leading edge. The batters take two.
16.6 : JJ Smit to Asghar Afghan, FOUR! The luck is riding with Afghan now. A length ball, outside off. Afghan swings hard at it. The ball takes the outside edge and goes over short third man for a boundary. An expensive over by Smit.
David Wiese (2-0-15-0) comes back into the attack.
17.1 : David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, Full and on the pads. Nabi flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.
17.2 : David Wiese to Asghar Afghan, A single as this eased down to long on by Afghan.
17.3 : David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, Slower one and a swing and a miss! Good-length ball, outside off. Nabi looks to heave it across the line but misses. 
17.4 : David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, FOUR! Nicely played. Full length and outside off. Nabi hangs back and steers it past short third man and bags a boundary.
17.5 : David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, Full and on off. Nabi defends it back to the bowler.
17.6 : David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, A length ball, outside off. Nabi looks to chase it but misses. A good end to the over by Wiese.
Ruben Trumpelmann (3-0-22-1) to bowl the penultimate over.
18.1 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Asghar Afghan, Full and wide outside off. Afghan reaches out and pushes it to deep point for a single.
18.2 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Mohammad Nabi, SIX! BANG! Nabi is not going to sit back here. Back of the hand delivery, short and on off. Nabi stays inside the crease and tonks it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum.
18.3 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Mohammad Nabi, FOUR! Nabi is hitting all across the ground now. Good placement this time by Nabi. Full length and outside off. Nabi steers it towards third man and bags a boundary.
18.4 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Mohammad Nabi, Back of a length, outside off. Nabi looks to cut it away but misses.
18.5 : Ruben Trumpelmann to Mohammad Nabi, Full, around middle and leg. Nabi drills it down the ground. But the ball hits Afghan's bat on the other end and goes towards mid-wicket. The batters cross for a single.
18.6 : Gulbadin Naib is the new man in. David Wiese to bowl the final over of the innings.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Asghar Afghan, OUT! CAUGHT! Afghan tried to be innovative but it did not go as he planned it. A full-length ball, on off. Afghan comes across and looks to scoop it over the keeper's head. But the ball takes the outside edge and goes towards backward point. Michael Van Lingen takes a simple catch. This is the last time we will ever see Afghan with the blade. Ruben Trumpelmann pauses his celebration and gives a pat on the back of Afghan. He is also greeted by a couple
19.1 : David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, FOUR! Nabi starts off the final over in the right manner. A low full toss, on the pads. Nabi flicks it through square leg and gets a boundary.
19.2 : David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, A length ball, on off. Nabi works it to long on for a single.
19.3 : David Wiese to Gulbadin Naib, Slower length ball, on off. Naib comes down the track and slaps it to long off for a single.
19.4 : David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, Swing and a miss! Good-length ball, outside off. Nabi looks to heave it away but misses.
19.5 : David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, On a length, around off. Nabi works it to long on. The fielder in the deep fumbles and the batters take two.
19.6 : David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, FOUR! Nabi gets a freebie in the end. He started and ended the over with a boundary. Full toss and on middle. Nabi heaves it across the line towards deep square leg. The fielder in the deep dives to his left but in vain. AFGHANISTAN END THEIR INNINGS WITH 160/5.
So Afghanistan do touch the 160-run mark and that is probably just above par, especially against this Namibia bowling line-up. Afghanistan will be pleased with the score they have got.
It was their openers who set the tone for them. Zazai was the aggressor and Shahzad played second fiddle. However, once the ball got old, run scoring got tough. The batters who had gotten off to starts needed to go on but that was not the case. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Asghar Afghan made a good contribution of 31 runs in the middle, also a good cameo though from Nabi towards the end has pushed the total to the 160-run mark.
Namibia were good in bits and pieces. Ruben Trumpelmann had a day to forget, he did come back strongly towards the end but he wasn’t at his best. Jan Frylinck too took a pounding. However, Nicol Loftie-Eaton, David Wiese and JJ Smit were really good. Especially the leg spinner and the left-arm pacers. Had it not been for them, Afghanistan would have crossed the 180-run mark.
Asghar Afghan is in for a chat. He says that he wants to give chance to the youngsters and he has played a lot of cricket and it's now time for the young guns. Adds that most of the people do ask him about finishing at the end of the tournament but he doesn't want to wait till that much because it'll be even more difficult. Mentions that he has many good memories and the decision to retire is always difficult, but it is what he wants. Afghan ends by thanking all the fans here in the ground and b
... THE RUN CHASE ...
Right then. Now the target is a stiff one and Namibia will have to start well. If they lose early wickets, it is not going to be easy to chase this down. Afghanistan will back themselves to defend it. Stay tuned for the second innings.
We are back for the run chase!
0.1 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Craig Williams, Starts off with a length ball, holds in the surface a touch. Williams looks to push it to the off side but it goes off the inner half to mid-wicket.
0.2 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Craig Williams, Namibia are underway! Shorter and on off, this is pushed through covers for one.
0.3 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Michael Van Lingen, Angled into the pads, this is worked through square leg for one.
0.2 : Asghar Afghan is seen sitting in the dug out, full of tears. Will we see him back on the field for one last time during this innings? Well, all cricketing fans across the world will hope to.
0.4 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Craig Williams, OUT! TAKEN! Namibia lose a wicket early. Not what they would have wanted. It is never easy to hit it down the ground on a slow wicket and Craig Williams finds that out. Fuller and on middle, another slower one. Williams looks to loft it straight but is through the shot. He only hits it high up in the air towards mid on where the substitute fielder, Usman Ghani takes a dolly.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton comes in at number 3.
0.6 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Michael Van Lingen, No run.
0.5 : Who will bowl from the other end? It's going to be the skipper, Mohammad Nabi.
1.3 : Mohammad Nabi to Michael Van Lingen, 1 run.
0.5 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Michael Van Lingen, Quick run! On middle, this is worked to mid on and the batter gets to the other end.
2.1 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Really good running again! Fuller and on middle, Nicol pushes it towards the right of mid-wicket who dives and deflects it away from long on. Two taken.
2.2 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, On off, Nicol pushes it towards cover and takes one.
2.3 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Michael Van Lingen, Good timing but for no runs! Length and on middle, Michael strokes it back at the bowler.
2.4 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Michael Van Lingen, OUT! TAKEN! Naveen-ul-Haq has another one! Another lovely slower one. The batter is done by the lack of pace completely. Michael Van Lingen skips down the track, Naveen shortens the length and also takes the pace off. Michael Van Lingen is way too early in the flick, it goes off the top edge and it is a simple catch to the man at short fine leg. Hamid makes no mistake. Namibia in trouble.
0.6 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, A length ball, on off. Nicol Loftie-Eaton plays it back to the bowler.
2.4 : The captain, Gerhard Erasmus is in at number 4.
1.1 : Mohammad Nabi to Michael Van Lingen, Nicely flighted, around off. Michael Van Lingen comes down the track and mistimes the off drive towards wide long off for a couple of runs.
1.2 : Mohammad Nabi to Michael Van Lingen, SIX! Michael Van Lingen frees his arms now. Tossed up, around off. Michael Van Lingen comes down the track and smokes it over the long on fence for a biggie.
1.3 : Mohammad Nabi to Michael Van Lingen, On the pads. Michael Van Lingen tucks it to mid-wicket.
1.4 : Mohammad Nabi to Michael Van Lingen, Darted on the pads. Michael Van Lingen flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.
1.5 : Mohammad Nabi to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Tossed up, on off. Nicol Loftie-Eaton defends it back to the bowler.
Naveen-ul-Haq to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, That is a top shot! Deserved a boundary but the stumps at the non-striker's end plays at the 12th fielder. Fuller and on middle, this is driven back hard but it hits the stumps at the other end and deflects wide of long on for two.
1.6 : Mohammad Nabi to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Floated around off. Nicol Loftie-Eaton taps it to point for a single.
Naveen-ul-Haq to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Another slower one, fuller and on off, this is pushed wide of mid off for one. Another wicket taking over by Naveen.
3.1 : Mohammad Nabi to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, NOT OUT! Impact is umpire's call and that seemed the case to the naked eye too! This is fired around off. Nicol looks to play the reverse sweep but misses. It hits the pad and rolls towards short third man. The batters take one as the bowler appeals. Turned down. Reviewed and replays show that the umpire's call stays. Leg bye signaled.
0.0 : After some discussion with the keeper, Mohammad Nabi has taken the review for an LBW decision. UltraEdge shows there's no bat involved. Ball Tracking shows that the ball does go on to hit the stumps but the impact is deemed as umpire's call. The onfield decsion of Not Out stands but Afghanistan don't lose the review.
3.2 : Mohammad Nabi to Gerhard Erasmus, Floats it up on off, it is pushed to covers.
3.3 : Mohammad Nabi to Gerhard Erasmus, Shorter and on middle, this is worked to mid-wicket for one.
3.4 : Mohammad Nabi to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, SIX! Beautiful hit! Second biggie of Nabi! Nicol skips down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and lofts it over the long on fence for a biggie.
3.5 : Mohammad Nabi to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Fires this one on middle, Nicol looks to push but it goes off the inner half to mid-wicket.
3.6 : Mohammad Nabi to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Almost an action replay of the last ball! Fired on middle, Nicol looks to push at it but it goes off the inner half to mid-wicket.
Hamid Hassan comes into the attack now.
4.1 : Hamid Hassan to Gerhard Erasmus, Fuller and on off, this is pushed to mid off for one.
4.2 : Hamid Hassan to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, A slower one, fuller and outside off, does not bounce a lot. Nicol looks to lift it over cover but it sneaks under the bat.
4.3 : Hamid Hassan to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, A yorker now outside off, Nicol Loftie-Eaton jams it out to short third man. Two dots in a row.
4.4 : Hamid Hassan to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Direct hit would have been close! Another slower one on off, it is guided to point. The batters go for one. The fielder there has a shy at the bowler's end but misses.
4.5 : Hamid Hassan to Gerhard Erasmus, On off, Erasmus pushes it to mid off.
4.6 : Hamid Hassan to Gerhard Erasmus, A full toss on middle, Erasmus works it to mid-wicket. A really good first over by Hassan.
5.1 : Gulbadin Naib to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Good length and on off, this is pushed to mid off.
0.0 : A change from both ends as Gulbadin Naib comes into the attack now.
5.2 : Gulbadin Naib to Nicol Loftie-Eaton, OUT! TIMBER! Number three down and now this looks an uphill task for Namibia. The slower one once again does the trick. It is shorter and around off, Nicol is way too early in the pull. This does not bounce a lot, sneaks under the bat and hits the off pole. 
5.3 : Gulbadin Naib to Zane Green, Almost chops it on! Maybe he was expecting a slower one but Naib bowls it seam-up, on a length and on off. Green is late in defending it. It goes off the inner half and on the leg side.
5.4 : Gulbadin Naib to Zane Green, Fuller and on middle, this is driven back to the bowler.
5.2 : Zane Green comes in with Namibia in a spot of bother.
5.5 : Gulbadin Naib to Zane Green, Good length again, this is pushed to covers.
5.6 : Gulbadin Naib to Zane Green, A wicket maiden to begin with by Naib! On off, blocked. Afghanistan are bossing the game right now. Namibia are 29 for 3 after the first 6.
Karim Janat is now brought into the attack.
6.1 : Karim Janat to Gerhard Erasmus, Angled into the middle pole, defended.
6.2 : Karim Janat to Gerhard Erasmus, FOUR! Brilliantly timed! Short and outside off, Erasmus just uses the pace and guides it past point for a welcome boundary. Need a few more.
6.3 : Karim Janat to Gerhard Erasmus, PUT DOWN! Rahmanullah Gurbaz had two or three goes at it but it did not stay in! Erasmus comes down the track and this is bowled fuller and outside off. Erasmus reaches out for it, it goes off the toe-end towards cover. Gurbaz looks to take it but it spills out, he tries taking it on the second attempt as he falls onto the ground but the ball does not stay in. Janat is not happy. He would have loved a wicket in his first over. Not to forget, he maybe low in
6.4 : Karim Janat to Gerhard Erasmus, A single now! Shorter and on off, this is guided to point.
6.6 : Karim Janat to Zane Green, Fuller and on middle, Green strokes it down to long on for one.
6.5 : Karim Janat to Zane Green, WIDE! Down the leg side, Green lets it be.
Karim Janat to Zane Green, On off, Green pushes it to covers.
6.6 : Rashid Khan will now come in to roll his arms.
7.1 : Rashid Khan to Zane Green, OUT! TIMBER! Rashid Khan strikes on his very first delivery. Zane Green has to go back on just 1. Googly, around middle, Green looks to scoop it over the keeper's head but misses. The ball goes through and disturbs the stumps. Namibia are four man down now. Not a good sight for them.
0.0 : David Wiese comes in at number 6.
7.2 : Rashid Khan to David Wiese, Tossed up, around off. Wiese pushes it to cover.
7.3 : Rashid Khan to David Wiese, Darted on the pads. Wiese flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple.
7.5 : Rashid Khan to David Wiese, Flatter and short, outside off. The ball turns away. Wiese looks to cut it away but misses.
7.6 : Rashid Khan to David Wiese, Full and on leg. Wiese tucks it towards mid on for a single. A great over by Rashid Khan, a wicket and just three runs off it.
7.4 : Rashid Khan to David Wiese, Flatter and on the pads. Wiese stays back and clips it to square leg.
8.1 : Gulbadin Naib to David Wiese, Fuller and on off. Wiese flicks it past mid on and gets a single.
0.0 : Gulbadin Naib (1-1-0-1) is back into the attack.
8.2 : Gulbadin Naib to Gerhard Erasmus, Another run now! A slower, length ball, around off. Erasmus pushes it gently towards cover. The batters cross for a single.
8.3 : Gulbadin Naib to David Wiese, Full toss, on off. Wiese punches it towards long off for another single.
8.4 : Gulbadin Naib to Gerhard Erasmus, A couple this time! Good-length ball, on the fourth stump line. Erasmus stays back and cuts it past point. The batters take two.
8.5 : Gulbadin Naib to Gerhard Erasmus, Full length and outside off. Erasmus steers it to short third man. Asghar Afghan dives to his left and make a great stop. The batters pick up a single.
8.6 : Gulbadin Naib to David Wiese, FOUR! David Wiese gets his first boundary of the chase. Touch short, on off. Wiese stays back, swivels and pulls it through square leg for a boundary. A good over for Namibia, 10 runs off it.
9.1 : Rashid Khan to Gerhard Erasmus, Full and on off. Erasmus kneels and sweeps it towards fine leg. They take one. This also brings up 50 for Namibia.
9.2 : Rashid Khan to David Wiese, Flighted, full and on off. Wiese plays it back to the bowler.
9.3 : Rashid Khan to David Wiese, Two runs! Full and on off. Wiese paddle sweeps it towards fine leg. The batters pick two with ease.
9.4 : Rashid Khan to David Wiese, Flatter and on off. Wiese goes back in the crease and punches it to cover.
9.5 : Rashid Khan to David Wiese, Slower through the air, full and on off. Wiese drives it past mid off. The batters pick two before the fielder cuts it out.
9.6 : Rashid Khan to David Wiese, Full and on off. Wiese flicks it towards long on for a single. Namibia are 55/4 at the halfway mark.
10.1 : Hamid Hassan to David Wiese, Hassan fires in a yorker, on leg. Wiese stays back and looks to flick it away but misses. The ball goes to the off side off the pads. Hassan appeals but the umpire is unmoved. Going down leg.
0.0 : DRINKS! Naveen-ul-Haq gave Afghanistan the perfect start and they haven't looked back since then, piling on the pressure on the opposition. Afghanistan will now look to wrap up this match at the earliest. Namibia are reeling at the moment but have their skipper, Erasmus and the experienced Wiese at the crease. With 106 runs still required off just 60 balls, the two batters at the crease will have to pull off a miracle. Also, Hamid Hassan (1-0-2-0) is brought back into the attack.
10.2 : Hamid Hassan to David Wiese, Full and on the pads. Wiese flicks it through square leg and gets a single.
10.3 : Hamid Hassan to Gerhard Erasmus, OUT! TIMBER! Take a bow, Hamid Hassan. He got Gerhard Erasmus on the dance floor. It was a perfect yorker. Hassan fires in a yorker, on middle, right in the slot. Erasmus looks to dig it out but misses it completely. Erasmus is on the ground after that. The ball goes through to rattle the stumps. Hamid Hassan picks up his first wicket of the game and Namibia are in a spot of bother with half of the side being sent back.
JJ Smit is the new man in.
10.4 : Hamid Hassan to JJ Smit, A slower, full-length ball, on off. Smit blocks it back to the bowler.
10.5 : Hamid Hassan to JJ Smit, Full, around middle and leg. Smit stays back and digs it out safely.
10.6 : Jan Frylinck comes in at number 8.
11.1 : Rashid Khan to David Wiese, Loopy ball, on off. Wiese guides it to short third man.
11.3 : Rashid Khan to David Wiese, Short and on off. Wiese stays back and cuts it to point.
11.2 : Rashid Khan to David Wiese, Floated, full and on off. Wiese stays back and defends it out.
11.4 : Rashid Khan to David Wiese, A single now. Full and on the pads. Wiese flicks it to square leg and gets a single.
11.5 : Rashid Khan to Jan Frylinck, LEG BYE! Tossed up, on the pads. Frylinck looks to flick it away but misses. The ball goes to the leg side off the pads. They collect a leg bye.
11.6 : Rashid Khan to David Wiese, Flatter and outside off. Wiese cuts it to point.
Hamid Hassan to JJ Smit, OUT! CAUGHT! Hamid Hassan picks up the second wicket of the over. Smit goes back on a duck with the softest of dismissals. Back of a length, around off. This one is quicker. Smit stays inside the crease and looks to move away from the line. But the ball takes the blade and goes towards the keeper. Mohammad Shahzad takes a good catch behind the stumps.
12.1 : Hamid Hassan to Jan Frylinck, A single to start the over! A length ball, outside off. Frylinck reaches out and pushes it through point for a single.
12.2 : Hamid Hassan to David Wiese, Full, around middle and leg. Wiese hangs back and flicks it through mid-wicket for another single.
12.3 : Hamid Hassan to Jan Frylinck, Length and on off. Jan Frylinck defends it out watchfully.
12.4 : Hamid Hassan to Jan Frylinck, On a length, around off. Jan Frylinck pushes it to cover.
12.5 : Hamid Hassan to Jan Frylinck, Full length and wide outside off. Jan Frylinck pushes it towards point. Rashid Khan dives to his right to make a good stop.
12.6 : Hamid Hassan to Jan Frylinck, Full and on off. Jan Frylinck nudges it to mid-wicket and takes a quick single. Another good over by Hamid Hassan. Just 3 runs off it.
13.1 : Rashid Khan to Jan Frylinck, WIDE! Spilled down the leg side, Frylinck looks to sweep but misses. Wided.
Rashid Khan to Jan Frylinck, On the pads and turned away towards square leg.
13.2 : Rashid Khan to Jan Frylinck, Here comes the wrong 'un. On off and going away from the left-hander, beating the outside edge of Jan Frylinck.
13.3 : Rashid Khan to Jan Frylinck, On middle, Jan Frylinck looks to nudges it on the leg side but gets an outside edge onto the pads.
13.4 : Rashid Khan to Jan Frylinck, Tossed up, on middle and Frylinck pats it back to the bowler.
13.5 : Rashid Khan to Jan Frylinck, Rashid Khan angles it in, on off, from around the stumps. Jan Frylinck taps it to point for a quick single.
13.6 : Rashid Khan to David Wiese, Flatter one, around off. David Wiese rocks back and cuts it through point for a couple. Rashid Khan ends his spell with figures of, 4-0-14-1!
Change! Naveen-ul-Haq is back on now!
14.1 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Jan Frylinck, A slower one, around middle and leg. Jan Frylinck just works it through mid-wicket. Gurbaz races in from the fence and with a one-handed pick up throws it to the bowler, who fails to collect and they get two in the end. Good running.
14.2 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Jan Frylinck, Naveen-ul-Haq bangs it in short, around leg stump. Jan Frylinck pulls it down towards wide long on for a single.
14.3 : Naveen-ul-Haq to David Wiese, A length ball, angled in on off stump. Wiese taps it off the back foot towards point. Jan Frylinck is halfway down the track and the fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses.
14.4 : Naveen-ul-Haq to David Wiese, On off and this is driven through covers for a run.
14.5 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Jan Frylinck, OUT! CAUGHT! Naveen-ul-Haq comes back on and picks up his third wicket. Naveen-ul-Haq hurls across a length ball, outside off and this is the slower ball. Jan Frylinck looks to loft it over mid off but is undone by the lack of pace and ends up skying it towards mid off. Mohammad Nabi settles under it and takes an easy catch.
14.6 : Pikky Ya France comes out to bat now.
Naveen-ul-Haq to David Wiese, FOUR! Top shot from David Wiese. Back of a length, around off. Wiese hangs back and cuts it behind point point for a boundary. Namibia need 88 runs in 30 balls.
15.1 : Gulbadin Naib to Pikky Ya France, Fullish ball, around off and pushed towards covers.
14.6 : Gulbadin Naib is back into the attack. He replaces Rashid Khan.
15.2 : Gulbadin Naib to Pikky Ya France, Naib offers some width this time and Pikky Ya France goes after it. He slashes it over backward point and picks up a couple of runs.
15.3 : Gulbadin Naib to Pikky Ya France, In the air...just short! A slower length ball, on middle. Pikky Ya France looks to swipe across the line but gets a top edge towards the mid-wicket region. The fielder races in from the deep and puts in a full-stretched dive but can't quite get to the ball. They take two and the fielder seems to have hurt his shoulder. Hope he is fine.
15.4 : Gulbadin Naib to David Wiese, Slower one, back of a length and on middle. David Wiese hangs back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
15.5 : Gulbadin Naib to Pikky Ya France, Nicely bowled slower ball, on a length, around the off stump. Pikky Ya France winds up for the big shot but gets beaten comprehensively.
15.3 : The fielder has hurt himself, while attempting to catch the ball. The physio comes out to have a look at it. The player has gone off the field. 
15.6 : Gulbadin Naib to Pikky Ya France, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Another one bites the dust for Namibia and Gulbadin Naib has his second wicket of the match. It's the slower ball yet again and it's bowled on a length, on off stump. Pikky Ya France looks to up the ante by going for the big shot but ends up skying it high just to the left of the bowler. Gulbadin Naib settles under it and takes the skier comfortably.
Ruben Trumpelmann walks out at number 10.
16.1 : Hamid Hassan to David Wiese, WIDE! Hassan looks to target the pads but drifts down the leg side. Wided.
Hamid Hassan to David Wiese, Slower one, on middle and angling in. Wiese looks to swipe across the line but misses. The ball goes off the thigh pads onto the off side.
16.2 : Hamid Hassan to David Wiese, Hassan injects some pace this time and bowls another length ball, around middle. Wiese takes a swing across the line but misses yet again.
16.3 : Hamid Hassan to David Wiese, Hassan rolls his fingers over the ball and bowls a good-length ball, around middle. David Wiese looks to club it away but mistimes it badly towards mid-wicket. They get a single.
16.4 : Hamid Hassan to Ruben Trumpelmann, Full and straight, Ruben Trumpelmann digs it out on the off side and picks up a run.
16.5 : Hamid Hassan to David Wiese, OUT! Cleaned up! Hamid Hassan has been exceptional today and down goes the nineth wicket for Namibia. Hamid Hassan bowls a full wide, around off and tailing back in sharply. David Wiese looks to drive it through covers but gets an inside edge back onto the off stump. David Wiese has to walk back after a fighting innings and Afghanistan have the finish line in sight right now.
Bernard Scholtz is the last man to walk in.
16.6 : Hamid Hassan to Bernard Scholtz, Peach! Just outside the off stump, bowled with some venom as well. Bernard Scholtz looks to have a poke at it but the ball whizzes past the outside edge. Hamid Hassan ends with brilliant figures of, 4-0-9-3!
17.1 : Gulbadin Naib to Ruben Trumpelmann, WIDE! Naib digs in a short one, down the leg side. Ruben Trumpelmann ducks under and a wide is called.
Gulbadin Naib to Ruben Trumpelmann, Shortish ball, on middle. Ruben Trumpelmann pulls it away towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
17.2 : Gulbadin Naib to Bernard Scholtz, Fullish ball, around off and driven straight to extra cover.
17.3 : Gulbadin Naib to Bernard Scholtz, Slower one, pushed well outside the off stump. Bernard Scholtz cannot get it past the ring of fielders on the off side.
17.4 : Gulbadin Naib to Bernard Scholtz, Another slower one, outside off. Bernard Scholtz cuts it straight to point.
17.5 : Gulbadin Naib to Bernard Scholtz, Naib is keeping is slow and well outside off. This time Bernard Scholtz waits for it and caresses it through covers for a couple of runs.
17.6 : Gulbadin Naib to Bernard Scholtz, Length ball, on off and driven through covers for a single.
18.1 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Bernard Scholtz, On off and Scholtz guides it nicely to third man for a single.
18.2 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Ruben Trumpelmann, FOUR! Slower one, right in the slot, around off stump. Ruben Trumpelmann brooms it across and finds the wide long on fence.
18.3 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Ruben Trumpelmann, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries and Ruben Trumpelmann is spoiling Naveen-ul-Haq's figures. Full and right in the slot again, Trumpelmann smokes it back past the bowler and finds the fence yet again.
18.4 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Ruben Trumpelmann, Back of a length, outside off. Trumpelmann pulls it down to long off but denies the single.
18.6 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Ruben Trumpelmann, Another slower one from Naveen-ul-Haq. This is on a length and outside off. Ruben Trumpelmann swings hard at it but misses it completely.
18.5 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Ruben Trumpelmann, Slower one, banged in around the helmet. Ruben Trumpelmann pulls it across nicely but straight to deep square leg. Doesn't take the single yet again.
18.6 : Karim Janat to bowl the final over.
19.1 : Karim Janat to Bernard Scholtz, A length ball, on off and this is tapped to cover-point.
19.2 : Karim Janat to Bernard Scholtz, Fullish ball, angled in at the leg stump. Bernard Scholtz clears his front leg and heaves it down to long on for a single.
19.3 : Karim Janat to Ruben Trumpelmann, Full and straight, Ruben Trumpelmann digs it out to long off for another one.
19.4 : Karim Janat to Bernard Scholtz, Short ball, banged in slow and well outside off. Bernard Scholtz tries to reach it and uppercut it but misses.
19.5 : Karim Janat to Bernard Scholtz, Length this time, around off. Bernard Scholtz gets it through covers for a single.
19.6 : Karim Janat to Ruben Trumpelmann, That's it, Afghanistan are back to winning ways! On middle and Ruben Trumpelmann heaves it to deep mid-wicket for another one. AFGHANISTAN WIN BY 62 RUNS!
A fitting end then for Asghar Afghan. A big one to round off what has been a career to remember. He is being carried around the ground by Gulbadin Naib on his shoulders.
Chasing 161 was always going to be a difficult for Namibia, they needed partnerships but they got none. Just the one batter managed to cross the 20-run mark and that was a David Wiese. The rest really struggled to cope to the pace of the wicket and in the end have fallen well short of the target.
... Presentation Time ...
Gerhard Erasmus, the Namibian skipper, says that they knew it was going to be a level up from the previous game as they are a Test nation and have quality bowling. Adds that they had to change their plans a bit and believes that the batters couldn't stay for too long on the crease and they did give away a few more runs in the Powerplay as well. Mentions that 160 was a good total and they just had too much quality in attack and even with Mujeeb not playing, all their pacers bowled well. Adds tha
Yet another comprehensive win for Afghanistan! They were without Mujeeb Ur Rahman but they did not miss him one bit. Another excellent display with the ball by them but this time it was the pacers who worked their magic. Naveen-ul-Haq started things off with two quickly. Gulbadin Naib and Hamid Hassan then continued the good work. Rashid Khan was economical but the three mentioned above were the stars. Difficult to pick one as all three were equally good.
Earlier in the innings, the Afghan openers got off to a flying start. But as both fell, the run flow was brought under control. Nabi and Afghan knocked some crucial runs to reach the 160-run mark. In the end, Afghan bowlers were on song and got over the line in the end with ease.
Naveen-ul-Haq wins the Player of the Match award, but he dedicates his man of the match award to Asghar, for his contribution to Afghanistan cricket. He says, Naveen-ul-Haq has been exceptional in the shortest form of cricket. Naveen adds it is very special to play in front of the fans. On the new ball, he says he did study a lot and thought to bring in variations would benefit him. Naveen also adds Afghan has been a great skipper for generations. Afghan ends by thanking the fans for their supp
Mohammad Nabi, the Afghanistan captain says, the boys are in the good morale. Mentions, they are mentally prepared for the chase, if it ever comes to that. Adds that Zazai and Shahzad have been brutal with the bat up front since ages and hopes they are just working along nicely. Mentions, they are happy to perform with the pace attack today and praises Hassan for his exceptional spell. Adds, he was informed yesterday about Afghan’s decision. Says, it was a shocking decision, but Afghan will
So, that is it from this game! Cricketing action does not end here though. The big game follows, India against New Zealand. That game begins at 6 pm local (2 pm GMT). Cheers!