Afghanistan continue dominance over Nepal

KABUL Twenty20 Qualifiers played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Afghanistan successfully chased a small target of 91 runs in 14.2 overs losing three wickets, with number four batsman Nawroz Mangal topscored with 48 runs to see his team home.

Mangal smashed a six and four boundaries during his knock. Samiullah Shenwari made 24 runs and Gulabdin Naib 12 unbeaten runs, while Noor Ali Zardan at number three retired hurt with a single.
Avinash Karn of Nepal claimed two wickets and Basanta Regmi took one.

Skipper Paras Khadka gave 17 runs in one over, while Shakti Gauchan conceded 20 runs in 3.2 overs. Similarly, Jeetendra Mukhiya conceded 21 runs in his three-over spell.
Nepal managed only 90/8 as wickets kept falling at regular intervals after losing the toss to Afghanistan, who chose to field.
Middle-order batsman Sharad Vesawkar was the top scorer for Nepal with an unbeaten 27 off 28, which featured two boundaries.
Samiullah Shenwari claimed three wickets for Afghanistan giving away 19 runs in his four overs. Izatullah Dawlatzai and Dawlat Zardan took two wickets each.
Afghanistan will meet the winner of the second semifinal between the host UAE and Ireland in the final, while Nepal will take on the beaten semifinalist in the third-place playoff. Both the matches will take place on Saturday.
All four teams — Nepal, Afghanistan, Ireland and the UAE — along with Hong Kong and the Netherlands have already qualified for the World T20, to be held in Bangladesh in March-April next year.

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