Daily Times

HARARE: Rashid Khan took a big leap towards becoming the quickest bowler to 100 ODI wickets when he grabbed his fourth five-wicket haul as Afghanistan overcame a top-order batting collapse to prevail over the United Arab Emirates in a Super Six fixture of the ICC World Cup Qualifier on Tuesday. Rashid returned figures of 5 for 41 as the UAE, after electing to bat, were bowled out for 177 in 43 overs. Afghanistan, in their run-chase, plunged to 54 for five before an unfinished 124-run sixth wicket partnership between Gulbadin Naib and Najibullah Zadran helped them reach the target for the loss of five wickets. The victory in the 35th over also helped Afghanistan to narrow the gap with Ireland and the West Indies on net run-rate, which will come into play if Scotland beat the Windies on Wednesday, the UAE beat Zimbabwe on Thursday and Afghanistan beat Ireland on Friday. The winners of the match between the Windies and Scotland will qualify for the World Cup Qualifier 2019 and if Zimbabwe beat UAE, then they will claim the second qualifying spot.

Rashid handed over the captaincy to a returning Asghar Stanikzai and immediately produced his best bowling performance of the tournament when he finished with 5 for 41. This lifted him to 96 wickets from 42 ODIs and the 19-year-old now has Mitchell Starc firmly within his sights. The Australia left-arm fast bowler had reached the 100-wicket milestone in 52 ODIs. Rashid, who is now the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 15, received good support from fast bowler Dawlat Zadran, who finished with 3 for 45 as only Shaiman Anwar (64, 87b, 4×4, 1×6) and Mohammad Naveed (45, 20b, 7×4, 2×6) batted with any confidence and authority for the UAE. In turn, opener Naib and Zadran saved Afghanistan the blushes with good half-centuries after their side was in deep trouble at 54 for five. Naib returned unbeaten on 74 from 97 balls with four fours and two sixes, while Zadran’s 64-ball 63 included five fours and two sixes. This was the sixth encounter between the two sides and both are tied on three wins apiece.

Brief scores: Afghanistan 178 for 5 (Gulbadin Naib 74 not out, Najibullah Zadran 63 not out, Mohammad Naveed 2-37, Qadeer Ahmed 2-38) beat United Arab Emirates 177 (Shaiman Anwar 64, Mohammad Naveed 45, Rashid Khan 5-41, Dawlat Zadran 3-45) by five wickets.

Published in Daily Times, March 21^st 2018.