END OF OVER:20 | 6 Runs 1 Wkt | AFG: 183/5 | RR: 9.15
- Rashid Khan2 (1b)
- Mohammad Nabi14 (16b)
- Cosmas Kyewuta4-0-25-2
- Brian Masaba4-0-21-2
Sowmya : "An amazing come back from Uganda. At one point it seemed 224-240 was easily possible "
10:11pm An innings of two halves really. In the first half, Afghanistan were rollicking along, with Gurbaz and Ibrahim putting the Ugandan bowlers to the sword. Both of them registered fifties and put together the second-highest opening stand ever in T20 World Cup cricket. Both, though, fell close to each other and that triggered a significant slow-down. Only 27 runs came off the last five overs and they failed to hit a boundary in the last six (scoring 31 and losing five wickets), which means they have ended up well short of what seemed certain at one point.
Lots of credit for the slow-down has to be given to Uganda too. Post the drinks break, they recalibrated their plans, bowling tighter to the stumps and not giving the batters any width. Masaba led that turnaround and was the pick of the bowling bunch, bagging a couple of wickets along the way. Kyewuta also popped up with two scalps, with Ramjani removing Gurbaz.
This may still be a tall order for Uganda, given Afghanistan's bowling might. But they are definitely chasing a much lower total than it seemed at the 14-over mark. Join us in a bit for the run-chase!
Ibrahim Zadran: (On his form in the last few months) I am trying to keep it very simple. I don't try to think a lot. I am working hard, I want to be a great cricketer and want to enjoy my cricket. (On if the six was his favourite shot tonight) I think so, I middled it and I enjoyed that shot a lot. (On partnership with Gurbaz) If you look at our partnership, we have been playing together (for a long time). We have good communication and we know each other's game, and try to keep it simple. Me and Gurbaz were discussing to not go from the first ball. Check what the bowlers are doing and what ends they are bowling from.
Captain Rashid out to face the last ball. Can he finish with a flourish?
Azmatullah Omarzai c Ramjani b Kyewuta 5 (9m 5b 0x4 0x6) SR: 100.00
Afghanistan have not managed a boundary since the last ball of the 14th over
Last over coming up. 200 a distant dream at the moment. Kyewuta to bowl
END OF OVER:19 | 6 Runs | AFG: 177/4 | RR: 9.31
- Azmatullah Omarzai4 (3b)
- Mohammad Nabi11 (13b)
- Brian Masaba4-0-21-2
- Cosmas Kyewuta3-0-19-1
Boundaries have been hard to come by for Afghanistan in the recent past
Two overs left. Can Afghanistan get to 200? Can Uganda keep them to under 190?
Boris: "Feels like Uganda have pulled it back somewhat" -- They definitely have. 200 seemed nailed-on half an hour ago. Not sure that is the case now, with just two overs left.
END OF OVER:18 | 5 Runs 1 Wkt | AFG: 171/4 | RR: 9.50
- Azmatullah Omarzai2 (1b)
- Mohammad Nabi7 (9b)
- Cosmas Kyewuta3-0-19-1
- Brian Masaba3-0-15-2
Here's Omarzai. He can strike the ball cleanly too but Uganda are in the midst of a promising spell
Gulbadin Naib c Masaba b Kyewuta 4 (6m 5b 0x4 0x6) SR: 80.00
Kyewuta returns
END OF OVER:17 | 5 Runs 1 Wkt | AFG: 166/3 | RR: 9.76
- Gulbadin Naib3 (2b)
- Mohammad Nabi6 (7b)
- Brian Masaba3-0-15-2
- Alpesh Ramjani4-0-33-1
Naib joins Nabi. Still no Omarzai or Rashid
Najibullah Zadran c Nakrani b Masaba 2 (8m 3b 0x4 0x6) SR: 66.66