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Afghanistan vs Namibia ICC World Twenty20, 2021

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Super 12 - Match 27, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, 31 Oct, 2021

Afghanistan

AFG

160/5

(20.0) overs

Namibia

NAM

98/9

(20.0) overs

Afghanistan beat Namibia by 62 runs

Player Of The Match

Naveen-ul-Haq,
Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Summary
Scorecard
Commentary
News
Namibia
Afghanistan

Commentary

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!

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 be a great T20I captain for the history. Adds, Nabi could not make him change his decision, as Afghan was stuck to his word.

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 that they know the challenge is getting greater but they deserve to be here and takes this as a stepping stone for the future.

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 support.

... Presentation Time ...

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.

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.

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.

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.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 20 overs : 98/9

R T'lmann12 (9)

B Scholtz6 (11)

K Janat2-0-11-0

19.61

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!

19.51

Length this time, around off. Bernard Scholtz gets it through covers for a single.

19.40

Short ball, banged in slow and well outside off. Bernard Scholtz tries to reach it and uppercut it but misses.

19.31

Full and straight, Ruben Trumpelmann digs it out to long off for another one.

19.21

Fullish ball, angled in at the leg stump. Bernard Scholtz clears his front leg and heaves it down to long on for a single.

19.10

A length ball, on off and this is tapped to cover-point.

Karim Janat to bowl the final over.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 19 overs : 94/9

R T'lmann10 (7)

B Scholtz4 (7)

N Haq4-0-26-3

18.60

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.

18.50

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.

18.40

Back of a length, outside off. Trumpelmann pulls it down to long off but denies the single.

18.34

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.

18.24

FOUR! Slower one, right in the slot, around off stump. Ruben Trumpelmann brooms it across and finds the wide long on fence.

18.11

On off and Scholtz guides it nicely to third man for a single.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 18 overs : 85/9

B Scholtz3 (6)

R T'lmann2 (2)

G Naib4-1-19-2

17.61

Length ball, on off and driven through covers for a single.

17.52

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.

17.40

Another slower one, outside off. Bernard Scholtz cuts it straight to point.

17.30

Slower one, pushed well outside the off stump. Bernard Scholtz cannot get it past the ring of fielders on the off side.

17.20

Fullish ball, around off and driven straight to extra cover.

17.11

Shortish ball, on middle. Ruben Trumpelmann pulls it away towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

17.11wd

WIDE! Naib digs in a short one, down the leg side. Ruben Trumpelmann ducks under and a wide is called.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 17 overs : 80/9

B Scholtz0 (1)

R T'lmann1 (1)

H Hassan4-0-9-3

16.60

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!

Commentary

We are back for the run chase! The umpires are out in the middle and so are the Afghanistan players. Craig Williams and Michael Van Lingen are the openers for Namibia. Naveen-ul-Haq has been handed the new ball.

... 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.

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 back home and all thanks his team. He is seen to be very emotional at the moment.

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.

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.

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.

Runs Scored 12 Runs

Score after 20 overs : 160/5

M Nabi32 (17)

G Naib1 (1)

D Wiese4-0-33-0

19.64

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.

19.52

On a length, around off. Nabi works it to long on. The fielder in the deep fumbles and the batters take two.

19.40

Swing and a miss! Good-length ball, outside off. Nabi looks to heave it away but misses.

19.31

Slower length ball, on off. Naib comes down the track and slaps it to long off for a single.

19.21

A length ball, on off. Nabi works it to long on for a single.

19.14

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.

Gulbadin Naib is the new man in. David Wiese to bowl the final over of the innings.

Runs Scored 12 Runs

Score after 19 overs : 148/5

A Afghan31 (23)

M Nabi21 (12)

R T'lmann4-0-34-2

18.6W

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 of players on his way out. The Afghanistan players now give him a guard of honour as he walks into the dressing room. All the fans are saluting. An emotional day for the fans.

18.51

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.

18.40

Back of a length, outside off. Nabi looks to cut it away but misses.

18.34

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.

18.26

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.

18.11

Full and wide outside off. Afghan reaches out and pushes it to deep point for a single.

Ruben Trumpelmann (3-0-22-1) to bowl the penultimate over.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 18 overs : 136/4

M Nabi10 (8)

A Afghan30 (21)

D Wiese3-0-21-0

17.60

A length ball, outside off. Nabi looks to chase it but misses. A good end to the over by Wiese.

17.50

Full and on off. Nabi defends it back to the bowler.

17.44

FOUR! Nicely played. Full length and outside off. Nabi hangs back and steers it past short third man and bags a boundary.

17.30

Slower one and a swing and a miss! Good-length ball, outside off. Nabi looks to heave it across the line but misses.

17.21

A single as this eased down to long on by Afghan.

17.11

Full and on the pads. Nabi flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

David Wiese (2-0-15-0) comes back into the attack.

Runs Scored 16 Runs

Score after 17 overs : 130/4

A Afghan29 (20)

M Nabi5 (3)

J Smit3-0-22-1

16.64

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.

16.52

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.

Namibia
Afghanistan
Batter R B 4s 6s SR
C W'liams

c sub U Ghani b N Haq

1 3 0 0 33.33
M Lingen

c H Hassan b N Haq

11 8 0 1 137.50
N Eaton

b G Naib

14 16 0 1 87.50
G Erasmus

b H Hassan

12 14 1 0 85.71
Z Green

b R Khan

1 7 0 0 14.28
D Wiese

b H Hassan

26 30 2 0 86.66
J Smit

c M Shahzad b H Hassan

0 3 0 0 0
J F'linck

c M Nabi b N Haq

6 14 0 0 42.85
P France

c & b G Naib

3 5 0 0 60
R T'lmann

not out

12 9 2 0 133.33
B Scholtz

not out

6 11 0 0 54.54
Extras

(b 0,lb 2,w 4,nb 0,Penalty 0)

6
Total 20.0 (RR: 4.9)
98/9

Did not bat:

Fall of wickets:

(C W'liams, 0.4 ov) (M Lingen, 2.4 ov) (N Eaton, 5.2 ov) (Z Green, 7.1 ov) (G Erasmus, 10.3 ov) (J Smit, 11 ov) (J F'linck, 14.5 ov) (P France, 16 ov) (D Wiese, 16.5 ov)
Bowler O M R W ER
N Haq
4 0 26 3 6.50
M Nabi
2 0 17 0 8.50
H Hassan
4 0 9 3 2.25
G Naib
4 1 19 2 4.75
K Janat
2 0 11 0 5.50
R Khan
4 0 14 1 3.50
Batter R B 4s 6s SR
H Zazai

c M Lingen b J Smit

33 27 4 2 122.22
M Shahzad

c B Scholtz b R T'lmann

45 33 3 2 136.36
R Gurbaz

lbw b N Eaton

4 8 0 0 50
A Afghan

c M Lingen b R T'lmann

31 23 3 1 134.78
N Zadran

lbw b N Eaton

7 11 1 0 63.63
M Nabi

not out

32 17 5 1 188.23
G Naib

not out

1 1 0 0 100
Extras

(b 0,lb 1,w 6,nb 0,Penalty 0)

7
Total 20.0 (RR: 8)
160/5

Did not bat: K Janat, R Khan, N Haq, H Hassan

Fall of wickets:

(H Zazai, 6.4 ov) (R Gurbaz, 9.5 ov) (M Shahzad, 12.4 ov) (N Zadran, 15.4 ov) (A Afghan, 19 ov)
Bowler O M R W ER
R T'lmann
4 0 34 2 8.50
J Smit
3 0 22 1 7.33
D Wiese
4 0 33 0 8.25
J F'linck
3 0 34 0 11.33
N Eaton
4 0 21 2 5.25
B Scholtz
1 0 8 0 8.00
G Erasmus
1 0 7 0 7.00
Namibia
Afghanistan

Commentary

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!

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 be a great T20I captain for the history. Adds, Nabi could not make him change his decision, as Afghan was stuck to his word.

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 that they know the challenge is getting greater but they deserve to be here and takes this as a stepping stone for the future.

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 support.

... Presentation Time ...

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.

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.

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.

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.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 20 overs : 98/9

R T'lmann12 (9)

B Scholtz6 (11)

K Janat2-0-11-0

19.61

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!

19.51

Length this time, around off. Bernard Scholtz gets it through covers for a single.

19.40

Short ball, banged in slow and well outside off. Bernard Scholtz tries to reach it and uppercut it but misses.

19.31

Full and straight, Ruben Trumpelmann digs it out to long off for another one.

19.21

Fullish ball, angled in at the leg stump. Bernard Scholtz clears his front leg and heaves it down to long on for a single.

19.10

A length ball, on off and this is tapped to cover-point.

Karim Janat to bowl the final over.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 19 overs : 94/9

R T'lmann10 (7)

B Scholtz4 (7)

N Haq4-0-26-3

18.60

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.

18.50

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.

18.40

Back of a length, outside off. Trumpelmann pulls it down to long off but denies the single.

18.34

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.

18.24

FOUR! Slower one, right in the slot, around off stump. Ruben Trumpelmann brooms it across and finds the wide long on fence.

18.11

On off and Scholtz guides it nicely to third man for a single.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 18 overs : 85/9

B Scholtz3 (6)

R T'lmann2 (2)

G Naib4-1-19-2

17.61

Length ball, on off and driven through covers for a single.

17.52

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.

17.40

Another slower one, outside off. Bernard Scholtz cuts it straight to point.

17.30

Slower one, pushed well outside the off stump. Bernard Scholtz cannot get it past the ring of fielders on the off side.

17.20

Fullish ball, around off and driven straight to extra cover.

17.11

Shortish ball, on middle. Ruben Trumpelmann pulls it away towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

17.11wd

WIDE! Naib digs in a short one, down the leg side. Ruben Trumpelmann ducks under and a wide is called.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 17 overs : 80/9

B Scholtz0 (1)

R T'lmann1 (1)

H Hassan4-0-9-3

16.60

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!

Bernard Scholtz is the last man to walk in.

16.5W

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.

16.41

Full and straight, Ruben Trumpelmann digs it out on the off side and picks up a run.

16.31

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.

16.20

Hassan injects some pace this time and bowls another length ball, around middle. Wiese takes a swing across the line but misses yet again.

16.10

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.

16.11wd

WIDE! Hassan looks to target the pads but drifts down the leg side. Wided.

Ruben Trumpelmann walks out at number 10.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 16 overs : 77/8

P France3 (5)

D Wiese25 (26)

G Naib3-1-14-2

15.6W

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.

15.50

Nicely bowled slower ball, on a length, around the off stump. Pikky Ya France winds up for the big shot but gets beaten comprehensively.

15.41

Slower one, back of a length and on middle. David Wiese hangs back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

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.

15.31

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.

15.22

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.

15.10

Fullish ball, around off and pushed towards covers.

Gulbadin Naib is back into the attack. He replaces Rashid Khan.

Pikky Ya France comes out to bat now.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 15 overs : 73/7

D Wiese24 (25)

P France0 (0)

N Haq3-0-17-3

14.64

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.

14.5W

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.

14.41

On off and this is driven through covers for a run.

14.30

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.

14.21

Naveen-ul-Haq bangs it in short, around leg stump. Jan Frylinck pulls it down towards wide long on for a single.

14.12

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.

Change! Naveen-ul-Haq is back on now!

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 14 overs : 65/6

D Wiese19 (22)

J F'linck3 (11)

R Khan4-0-14-1

13.62

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!

13.51

Rashid Khan angles it in, on off, from around the stumps. Jan Frylinck taps it to point for a quick single.

13.40

Tossed up, on middle and Frylinck pats it back to the bowler.

13.30

On middle, Jan Frylinck looks to nudges it on the leg side but gets an outside edge onto the pads.

13.20

Here comes the wrong 'un. On off and going away from the left-hander, beating the outside edge of Jan Frylinck.

13.10

On the pads and turned away towards square leg.

13.11wd

WIDE! Spilled down the leg side, Frylinck looks to sweep but misses. Wided.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 13 overs : 61/6

J F'linck2 (6)

D Wiese17 (21)

H Hassan3-0-6-2

12.61

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.

12.50

Full length and wide outside off. Jan Frylinck pushes it towards point. Rashid Khan dives to his right to make a good stop.

12.40

On a length, around off. Jan Frylinck pushes it to cover.

12.30

Length and on off. Jan Frylinck defends it out watchfully.

12.21

Full, around middle and leg. Wiese hangs back and flicks it through mid-wicket for another single.

12.11

A single to start the over! A length ball, outside off. Frylinck reaches out and pushes it through point for a single.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 12 overs : 58/6

D Wiese16 (20)

J F'linck0 (1)

R Khan3-0-10-1

11.60

Flatter and outside off. Wiese cuts it to point.

11.51lb

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.

11.41

A single now. Full and on the pads. Wiese flicks it to square leg and gets a single.

11.30

Short and on off. Wiese stays back and cuts it to point.

11.20

Floated, full and on off. Wiese stays back and defends it out.

11.10

Loopy ball, on off. Wiese guides it to short third man.

Jan Frylinck comes in at number 8.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 11 overs : 56/6

J Smit0 (3)

D Wiese15 (15)

H Hassan2-0-3-2

10.6W

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.

10.50

Full, around middle and leg. Smit stays back and digs it out safely.

10.40

A slower, full-length ball, on off. Smit blocks it back to the bowler.

JJ Smit is the new man in.

10.3W

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.

10.21

Full and on the pads. Wiese flicks it through square leg and gets a single.

10.10

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.

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.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 10 overs : 55/4

D Wiese14 (13)

G Erasmus12 (13)

R Khan2-0-9-1

9.61

Full and on off. Wiese flicks it towards long on for a single. Namibia are 55/4 at the halfway mark.

9.52

Slower through the air, full and on off. Wiese drives it past mid off. The batters pick two before the fielder cuts it out.

9.40

Flatter and on off. Wiese goes back in the crease and punches it to cover.

9.32

Two runs! Full and on off. Wiese paddle sweeps it towards fine leg. The batters pick two with ease.

9.20

Flighted, full and on off. Wiese plays it back to the bowler.

9.11

Full and on off. Erasmus kneels and sweeps it towards fine leg. They take one. This also brings up 50 for Namibia.

Runs Scored 10 Runs

Score after 9 overs : 49/4

D Wiese9 (8)

G Erasmus11 (12)

G Naib2-1-10-1

8.64

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.

8.51

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.

8.42

A couple this time! Good-length ball, on the fourth stump line. Erasmus stays back and cuts it past point. The batters take two.

8.31

Full toss, on off. Wiese punches it towards long off for another single.

8.21

Another run now! A slower, length ball, around off. Erasmus pushes it gently towards cover. The batters cross for a single.

8.11

Fuller and on off. Wiese flicks it past mid on and gets a single.

Gulbadin Naib (1-1-0-1) is back into the attack.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 8 overs : 39/4

D Wiese3 (5)

G Erasmus7 (9)

R Khan1-0-3-1

7.61

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.

7.50

Flatter and short, outside off. The ball turns away. Wiese looks to cut it away but misses.

7.40

Flatter and on the pads. Wiese stays back and clips it to square leg.

7.32

Darted on the pads. Wiese flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple.

7.20

Tossed up, around off. Wiese pushes it to cover.

David Wiese comes in at number 6.

7.1W

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.

Rashid Khan will now come in to roll his arms.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 7 overs : 36/3

Z Green1 (6)

G Erasmus7 (9)

K Janat1-0-7-0

6.61

Fuller and on middle, Green strokes it down to long on for one.

6.50

On off, Green pushes it to covers.

6.51wd

WIDE! Down the leg side, Green lets it be.

6.41

A single now! Shorter and on off, this is guided to point.

6.30

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 confidence after going for 24 in the last game of his over.

6.24

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.

6.10

Angled into the middle pole, defended.

Karim Janat is now brought into the attack.

Runs Scored 0 Runs

Score after 6 overs : 29/3

Z Green0 (4)

G Erasmus2 (5)

G Naib1-1-0-1

5.60

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.

5.50

Good length again, this is pushed to covers.

5.40

Fuller and on middle, this is driven back to the bowler.

5.30

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.

Zane Green comes in with Namibia in a spot of bother.

5.2W

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.

5.10

Good length and on off, this is pushed to mid off.

A change from both ends as Gulbadin Naib comes into the attack now.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 5 overs : 29/2

G Erasmus2 (5)

N Eaton14 (14)

H Hassan1-0-2-0

4.60

A full toss on middle, Erasmus works it to mid-wicket. A really good first over by Hassan.

4.50

On off, Erasmus pushes it to mid off.

4.41

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.

4.30

A yorker now outside off, Nicol Loftie-Eaton jams it out to short third man. Two dots in a row.

4.20

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.

4.11

Fuller and on off, this is pushed to mid off for one.

Hamid Hassan comes into the attack now.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 4 overs : 27/2

N Eaton13 (11)

G Erasmus1 (2)

M Nabi2-0-17-0

3.60

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.

3.50

Fires this one on middle, Nicol looks to push but it goes off the inner half to mid-wicket.

3.46

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.

3.31

Shorter and on middle, this is worked to mid-wicket for one.

3.20

Floats it up on off, it is pushed to covers.

3.11lb

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.

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.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 3 overs : 19/2

N Eaton7 (7)

G Erasmus0 (0)

N Haq2-0-9-2

2.61

Another slower one, fuller and on off, this is pushed wide of mid off for one. Another wicket taking over by Naveen.

2.52

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.

The captain, Gerhard Erasmus is in at number 4.

2.4W

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.

2.30

Good timing but for no runs! Length and on middle, Michael strokes it back at the bowler.

2.21

On off, Nicol pushes it towards cover and takes one.

2.12

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.

Runs Scored 10 Runs

Score after 2 overs : 13/1

N Eaton1 (3)

M Lingen11 (6)

M Nabi1-0-10-0

1.61

Floated around off. Nicol Loftie-Eaton taps it to point for a single.

1.50

Tossed up, on off. Nicol Loftie-Eaton defends it back to the bowler.

1.41

Darted on the pads. Michael Van Lingen flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

1.30

On the pads. Michael Van Lingen tucks it to mid-wicket.

1.26

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.

1.12

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.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 1 overs : 3/1

N Eaton0 (1)

M Lingen2 (2)

N Haq1-0-3-1

0.60

A length ball, on off. Nicol Loftie-Eaton plays it back to the bowler.

Who will bowl from the other end? It's going to be the skipper, Mohammad Nabi.

0.51

Quick run! On middle, this is worked to mid on and the batter gets to the other end.

Nicol Loftie-Eaton comes in at number 3.

0.4W

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.

0.31

Angled into the pads, this is worked through square leg for one.

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.

0.21

Namibia are underway! Shorter and on off, this is pushed through covers for one.

0.10

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.

Commentary

We are back for the run chase! The umpires are out in the middle and so are the Afghanistan players. Craig Williams and Michael Van Lingen are the openers for Namibia. Naveen-ul-Haq has been handed the new ball.

... 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.

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 back home and all thanks his team. He is seen to be very emotional at the moment.

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.

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.

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.

Runs Scored 12 Runs

Score after 20 overs : 160/5

M Nabi32 (17)

G Naib1 (1)

D Wiese4-0-33-0

19.64

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.

19.52

On a length, around off. Nabi works it to long on. The fielder in the deep fumbles and the batters take two.

19.40

Swing and a miss! Good-length ball, outside off. Nabi looks to heave it away but misses.

19.31

Slower length ball, on off. Naib comes down the track and slaps it to long off for a single.

19.21

A length ball, on off. Nabi works it to long on for a single.

19.14

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.

Gulbadin Naib is the new man in. David Wiese to bowl the final over of the innings.

Runs Scored 12 Runs

Score after 19 overs : 148/5

A Afghan31 (23)

M Nabi21 (12)

R T'lmann4-0-34-2

18.6W

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 of players on his way out. The Afghanistan players now give him a guard of honour as he walks into the dressing room. All the fans are saluting. An emotional day for the fans.

18.51

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.

18.40

Back of a length, outside off. Nabi looks to cut it away but misses.

18.34

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.

18.26

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.

18.11

Full and wide outside off. Afghan reaches out and pushes it to deep point for a single.

Ruben Trumpelmann (3-0-22-1) to bowl the penultimate over.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 18 overs : 136/4

M Nabi10 (8)

A Afghan30 (21)

D Wiese3-0-21-0

17.60

A length ball, outside off. Nabi looks to chase it but misses. A good end to the over by Wiese.

17.50

Full and on off. Nabi defends it back to the bowler.

17.44

FOUR! Nicely played. Full length and outside off. Nabi hangs back and steers it past short third man and bags a boundary.

17.30

Slower one and a swing and a miss! Good-length ball, outside off. Nabi looks to heave it across the line but misses.

17.21

A single as this eased down to long on by Afghan.

17.11

Full and on the pads. Nabi flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

David Wiese (2-0-15-0) comes back into the attack.

Runs Scored 16 Runs

Score after 17 overs : 130/4

A Afghan29 (20)

M Nabi5 (3)

J Smit3-0-22-1

16.64

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.

16.52

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.

16.51wd

Short and outside off. The ball moves away. Afghan leaves it alone. Wide called.

16.40

A length ball, on off. Afghan slaps it hard down the ground. Smit does well to put his hand out and make a stop.

16.34

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.

16.21lb

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.

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.

16.14

FOUR! Nabi has cleared his intention here. A full-length ball, outside off. Nabi gets across and drives it through point for a boundary.

JJ Smit (2-0-7-1) is brought back into the attack.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 16 overs : 114/4

A Afghan19 (16)

M Nabi1 (1)

N Eaton4-0-21-2

15.60

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.

15.51

Darted on the pads. Nabi tucks it to square leg and gets a single. Nabi gets off the mark straightaway.

The skipper, Mohammad Nabi is in at number 6.

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.

15.4W

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 Tracker shows three reds and Zadran has to do the long walk.

15.41wd

WIDE! Full and going down leg. Zadran looks to flick it away but misses. Wide called.

15.30

Swing and a miss! Floated, full and outside off. Zadran tries to go after it but misses.

15.22

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.

15.11

Flatter and on off. Afghan plays it nonchalantly to mid off and gets a single.

Nicol Loftie-Eaton (3-0-16-1) comes back in to finish his spell.

Runs Scored 13 Runs

Score after 15 overs : 109/3

N Zadran5 (8)

A Afghan18 (14)

J F'linck3-0-34-0

14.60

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.

14.50

Nice slower delivery by Jan Frylinck. On a length, outside off. Zadran swings hard at it but misses.

14.40

A length ball, on off. Zadran defends it back to the bowler.

14.34

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.

14.21

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.

14.21wd

WIDE! Fuller and wide outside off. Afghan looks to reach out but misses. Wide called by the umpire.

14.16

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.

14.11wd

WIDE! A length ball, way outside off. Afghan leaves it alone. Wide called.

Jan Frylinck (2-0-21-0) is back into the attack.

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.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 14 overs : 96/3

N Zadran1 (4)

A Afghan11 (12)

G Erasmus1-0-7-0

13.60

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.

13.51

Darted on the pads, Afghan tucks it to square leg and gets a single.

13.40

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.

13.31

Full and on off. Zadran on drives it to long on and gets a single.

13.21

Full and on middle. Afghan flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

13.14

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.

Gerhard Erasmus, the skipper comes on to roll his arms.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 13 overs : 89/3

N Zadran0 (2)

A Afghan5 (8)

R T'lmann3-0-22-1

12.60

Slightly slower and fuller, on off. Najibullah Zadran pats it back to the bowler. Just 2 runs and a wicket off the over.

12.50

Fullish ball, on off. Zadran defends it out.

Najibullah Zadran comes in at number 5.

12.4W

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.

12.31

Full and wide, squeezed towards cover for a single.

12.20

A length ball, outside off. Asghar Afghan throws the kitchen sink at it but only makes connection with thin air.

12.21wd

WIDE! Trumpelm ann looks to angle it on the pads but spills it down the leg side. Wided.

12.10

A length ball, angled in on off stump from around the wicket. Afghan defends it out.

Ruben Trumpelmann (2-0-20-0) is back on.

Runs Scored 10 Runs

Score after 12 overs : 87/2

M Shahzad45 (32)

A Afghan4 (5)

N Eaton3-0-16-1

11.60

Quicker one, outisde off. Shahzad looks to cut but misses.

11.52

Nicely flighted, around off. Mohammad Shahzad waits for it and cuts it through cover-point for a couple.

11.41

Flatter one, on off. Afghan rocks back and works it on the leg side for another one.

11.31

Tossed up, full and drilled down to long on for a single.

11.20

Skidding on around the middle stump, Shahzad can't get it away.

11.16

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.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 11 overs : 77/2

M Shahzad36 (27)

A Afghan3 (4)

B Scholtz1-0-8-0

10.61

Flatter one, on middle and driven through mid on for run.

10.54

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. With this boundary, Mohammad Shahzad also brings up 2000 runs in T20Is.

10.41

On middle again and this is pushed down the ground for a single.

10.30

Tossed up, on middle and defended out by Afghan.

10.21

Shahzad makes room and Scholtz follows him with a shortish ball. Shahzad gets it down to long on for a single.

10.11

Floated up, outside off. Afghan strokes it through cover and rotates the strike.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 10 overs : 69/2

A Afghan1 (1)

M Shahzad30 (24)

N Eaton2-0-6-1

9.61

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.

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.

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.

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.

9.5W

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.

9.41

A touch short and this is pulled away to deep square leg for a run.

9.31

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.

9.20

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.

9.11

Full and straight, Shahzad heaves it to wide long on for a run.

Runs Scored 10 Runs

Score after 9 overs : 65/1

M Shahzad28 (22)

R Gurbaz3 (5)

J F'linck2-0-21-0

8.61

Back of a length, on middle and stroked to wide long on for another one.

8.52

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.

8.44

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.

8.31

Drop and run, good running. Good-length ball, around off. Gurbaz just drops it towards short cover and sets off for a quick single.

8.21

On off and eased down to long on for a single.

8.11

A length ball, angled at the body. Gurbaz dabs it down towards mid on and picks up a single.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 8 overs : 55/1

M Shahzad20 (18)

R Gurbaz1 (3)

N Eaton1-0-2-0

7.60

Nicely bowled. Slightly fuller, outside off and Mohammad Shahzad gets caught on the crease as the ball goes past the outside edge.

7.50

Shahzad looks to give himself room again but the bowler fires it in, on middle. Shahzad keeps it out.

7.40

Down the leg side, Mohammad Shahzad will feel he missed out on this one as he paddles it straight to short fine leg.

7.30

On middle, Shahzad looks to make room and drive through the off side but mistimes it badly.

7.21

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.

7.11

Quicker one, on the pads to start with from Nicol Loftie-Eaton. Shahzad nudges it towards mid-wicket and picks up an easy single.

Nicol Loftie-Eaton comes into the attack now. He replaces David Wiese.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 7 overs : 53/1

R Gurbaz0 (2)

M Shahzad19 (13)

J Smit2-0-7-1

6.60

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.

6.50

Good-length ball, on middle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz defends it out.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz walks out at number 3.

6.4W

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?

6.31

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.

6.21

Length again, around middle and leg. Zazai pulls it towards deep square leg and rotates the strike.

6.11

A length ball, on middle, angled across. Shahzad taps it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Runs Scored 13 Runs

Score after 6 overs : 50/0

M Shahzad17 (11)

H Zazai32 (25)

D Wiese2-0-15-0

5.61

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.

5.50

Good comeback! A yorker and on middle, it is jammed back to the bowler.

5.46

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.

5.34

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.

5.21

Just another one! One more slower one on the pads, this is worked through square leg for one.

5.11

Outside off, this is guided to short third man for one.

David Wiese (1-0-2-0) is back into the attack.

Runs Scored 11 Runs

Score after 5 overs : 37/0

H Zazai31 (24)

M Shahzad5 (6)

J F'linck1-0-11-0

4.66

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.

4.54

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.

4.40

Yet another dot! On middle, cramping Zazai for room. He works it to mid-wicket.

4.30

A good bumper, it takes Zazai by surprise. He misses the pull.

4.20

Shorter and on the body, Zazai looks to pull but misses to get hit on the body.

4.11

Angled into middle, Shahzad works it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

Yet another bowling changes as Jan Frylinck is brought into the attack.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 4 overs : 26/0

H Zazai21 (19)

M Shahzad4 (5)

R T'lmann2-0-20-0

3.60

Back of a length and on off, Zazai waits and then plays it to point.

3.54

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.

3.40

Shortish and outside off, not enough width to cut, Zazai mistimes it to covers.

3.34

FOUR! Whipped away! On the pads, Zazai whips it through square leg and this one races away to the fence.

3.20

Back of a length and on off, Zazai pushes it to covers.

3.11

Angled into the pads, Shahzad works it to mid-wicket for another run. Quite a cautious approach by Shahzad so far.

Ruben Trumpelmann (1-0-11-0) comes on from the opposite end now.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 3 overs : 17/0

H Zazai13 (14)

M Shahzad3 (4)

D Wiese1-0-2-0

2.60

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.

2.50

Another on the shorter side, Zazai once again finds point.

2.40

Shorter and outside off, Zazai does not pick the slower one, in the end, he guides it to point.

2.30

Shorter and on the body, Zazai pulls but does not beat short fine leg.

2.21

Shorter and on off, Shahzad looks to cut but underedges it on the off side.

2.11

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.

A change in the attack straightaway as David Wiese comes on to bowl now.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 2 overs : 15/0

H Zazai12 (9)

M Shahzad2 (3)

J Smit1-0-4-0

1.61

A quick run! On middle, Zazai works it towards mid on and gets to the other end. A good start by Smit.

1.51

Yet another single! On middle, this is worked towards mid-wicket for one.

1.41

Shorter and on middle, Zazai works it through square leg and gets to the other end.

1.30

Slightly shorter in length and angles it into the body, Zazai looks to pull but misses and gets hit on the body.

1.21

Yet again on a length and on off, Shahzad hangs back and blocks toward cover for one. Mohammad Shahzad is off the mark.

1.10

Good length and on off, Shahzad defends it.

Who will bowl from the other end? It's going to be JJ Smit to steam in from the other end.

Runs Scored 11 Runs

Score after 1 overs : 11/0

H Zazai10 (6)

M Shahzad0 (0)

R T'lmann1-0-11-0

0.60

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.

0.56

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.

0.40

Really well bowled! Hint of movement! Length and on off, it lands and moves away. Zazai pushes  but gets beaten.

0.30

Good length and on off, Zazai stands tall and pushes it to covers.

0.31wd

WIDE! Down the leg side, Zazai looks to flick but misses. Wided.

0.24

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.

0.10

Right on the money to begin with! Length and around off, Zazai looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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?

... MATCH DAY ...