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.
... THE RUN CHASE ...
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
Namibia were good in bits and pieces. Ruben Trumpelmann had a day to forget, he did come back strongly towards the end but he wasnât 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.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, ! 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.
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.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, Swing and a miss! Good-length ball, outside off. Nabi looks to heave it away but misses.
David Wiese to Gulbadin Naib, Slower length ball, on off. Naib comes down the track and slaps it to long off for a single.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, A length ball, on off. Nabi works it to long on for a single.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, ! 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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Asghar Afghan, ! 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
Gulbadin Naib is the new man in. David Wiese to bowl the final over of the innings.
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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Mohammad Nabi, Back of a length, outside off. Nabi looks to cut it away but misses.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Mohammad Nabi, ! 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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Mohammad Nabi, ! 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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Asghar Afghan, 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.
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.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, Full and on off. Nabi defends it back to the bowler.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, ! Nicely played. Full length and outside off. Nabi hangs back and steers it past short third man and bags a boundary.
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.Â
David Wiese to Asghar Afghan, A single as this eased down to long on by Afghan.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, 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.
JJ Smit to Asghar Afghan, ! 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.
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.
JJ Smit to Asghar Afghan, Short and outside off. The ball moves away. Afghan leaves it alone. Wide called.
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.
JJ Smit to Asghar Afghan, ! 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.
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 stays and Namibia lose their final review.
JJ Smit to Mohammad Nabi, LEG BYE! NOT ! 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.
JJ Smit (2-0-7-1) is brought back into the attack.
JJ Smit to Mohammad Nabi, ! Nabi has cleared his intention here. A full-length ball, outside off. Nabi gets across and drives it through point for a boundary.
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.
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.
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. is the decision. Afghanistan lose the review as well.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Najibullah Zadran, ! 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
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, Swing and a miss! Floated, full and outside off. Zadran tries to go after it but misses.
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.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Asghar Afghan, 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.
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.
Jan Frylinck to Najibullah Zadran, Nice slower delivery by Jan Frylinck. On a length, outside off. Zadran swings hard at it but misses.
Jan Frylinck to Najibullah Zadran, A length ball, on off. Zadran defends it back to the bowler.
Jan Frylinck to Najibullah Zadran, ! 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.
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.
Jan Frylinck to Asghar Afghan, WIDE! Fuller and wide outside off. Afghan looks to reach out but misses. Wide called by the umpire.
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 stays and Namibia lose a review.
Jan Frylinck to Asghar Afghan, ! 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.
Jan Frylinck (2-0-21-0) is back into the attack.
Jan Frylinck to Asghar Afghan, WIDE! A length ball, way outside off. Afghan leaves it alone. Wide called.
Gerhard Erasmus to Najibullah Zadran, NOT ! 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.
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.
Gerhard Erasmus to Asghar Afghan, Darted on the pads, Afghan tucks it to square leg and gets a single.
Gerhard Erasmus to Najibullah Zadran, Full and on off. Zadran on drives it to long on and gets a single.
Gerhard Erasmus to Asghar Afghan, Full and on middle. Afghan flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.
Gerhard Erasmus, the skipper comes on to roll his arms.
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.
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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Najibullah Zadran, Fullish ball, on off. Zadran defends it out.
Najibullah Zadran comes in at number 5.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Mohammad Shahzad, ! 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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Asghar Afghan, Full and wide, squeezed towards cover for a single.
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.
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 (2-0-20-0) is back on.Â
Ruben Trumpelmann to Asghar Afghan, A length ball, angled in on off stump from around the wicket. Afghan defends it out.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Quicker one, outisde off. Shahzad looks to cut but misses.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Nicely flighted, around off. Mohammad Shahzad waits for it and cuts it through cover-point for a couple.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Asghar Afghan, Flatter one, on off. Afghan rocks back and works it on the leg side for another one.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Tossed up, full and drilled down to long on for a single.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Skidding on around the middle stump, Shahzad can't get it away.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, ! 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.
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.Â
Bernard Scholtz to Mohammad Shahzad, Flatter one, on middle and driven through mid on for run.
Bernard Scholtz to Mohammad Shahzad, ! 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.
Bernard Scholtz to Asghar Afghan, On middle again and this is pushed down the ground for a single.
Bernard Scholtz to Asghar Afghan, Tossed up, on middle and defended out by Afghan.
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.
Bernard Scholtz to Asghar Afghan, Floated up, outside off. Afghan strokes it through cover and rotates the strike.
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.
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.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, ! 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.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, A touch short and this is pulled away to deep square leg for a run.
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.
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.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Full and straight, Shahzad heaves it to wide long on for a run.
Jan Frylinck to Mohammad Shahzad, Back of a length, on middle and stroked to wide long on for another one.
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.
Jan Frylinck to Mohammad Shahzad, ! 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.
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.
Jan Frylinck to Mohammad Shahzad, On off and eased down to long on for a single.
Jan Frylinck to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, A length ball, angled at the body. Gurbaz dabs it down towards mid on and picks up a single.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, On middle, Shahzad looks to make room and drive through the off side but mistimes it badly.
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.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton comes into the attack now. He replaces David Wiese.
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.
JJ Smit to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Good-length ball, on middle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz defends it out.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz walks out at number 3.
JJ Smit to Hazratullah Zazai, ! 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?
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.
JJ Smit to Hazratullah Zazai, Length again, around middle and leg. Zazai pulls it towards deep square leg and rotates the strike.
JJ Smit to Mohammad Shahzad, A length ball, on middle, angled across. Shahzad taps it towards mid-wicket for a single.
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.
David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, Good comeback! A yorker and on middle, it is jammed back to the bowler.
David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, ! 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.
David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, ! Mohammad Shahzad now joins the act! He says enough of being cautious. He pulls this short ball through mid-wicket and into the fence.
David Wiese to Hazratullah Zazai, Just another one! One more slower one on the pads, this is worked through square leg for one.
David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, Outside off, this is guided to short third man for one.
Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, ! 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.
David Wiese (1-0-2-0) is back into the attack.
Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, FORTUNATE ! 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.
Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, A good bumper, it takes Zazai by surprise. He misses the pull.
Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, Yet another dot! On middle, cramping Zazai for room. He works it to mid-wicket.
Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, Shorter and on the body, Zazai looks to pull but misses to get hit on the body.
Yet another bowling changes as Jan Frylinck is brought into the attack.
Jan Frylinck to Mohammad Shahzad, Angled into middle, Shahzad works it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, Back of a length and on off, Zazai waits and then plays it to point.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, ! 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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, Shortish and outside off, not enough width to cut, Zazai mistimes it to covers.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, ! Whipped away! On the pads, Zazai whips it through square leg and this one races away to the fence.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, Back of a length and on off, Zazai pushes it to covers.
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.
Ruben Trumpelmann (1-0-11-0) comes on from the opposite end now.
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.
David Wiese to Hazratullah Zazai, Another on the shorter side, Zazai once again finds point.
David Wiese to Hazratullah Zazai, Shorter and outside off, Zazai does not pick the slower one, in the end, he guides it to point.
David Wiese to Hazratullah Zazai, Shorter and on the body, Zazai pulls but does not beat short fine leg.
David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, Shorter and on off, Shahzad looks to cut but underedges it on the off side.
A change in the attack straightaway as David Wiese comes on to bowl now.
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.
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.
JJ Smit to Mohammad Shahzad, Yet another single! On middle, this is worked towards mid-wicket for one.
JJ Smit to Hazratullah Zazai, Shorter and on middle, Zazai works it through square leg and gets to the other end.
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.
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.
JJ Smit to Mohammad Shahzad, 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.
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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, ! 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.
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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, Good length and on off, Zazai stands tall and pushes it to covers.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, WIDE! Down the leg side, Zazai looks to flick but misses. Wided.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, ! 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.
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.
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 -Â 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 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 wonât be surprised if Namibia also find it difficult. If they do find a way, we could well be in for a good game.
... 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 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.
We are back for 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.
... THE RUN CHASE ...
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
Namibia were good in bits and pieces. Ruben Trumpelmann had a day to forget, he did come back strongly towards the end but he wasnât 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.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, ! 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.
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.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, Swing and a miss! Good-length ball, outside off. Nabi looks to heave it away but misses.
David Wiese to Gulbadin Naib, Slower length ball, on off. Naib comes down the track and slaps it to long off for a single.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, A length ball, on off. Nabi works it to long on for a single.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, ! 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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Asghar Afghan, ! 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
Gulbadin Naib is the new man in. David Wiese to bowl the final over of the innings.
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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Mohammad Nabi, Back of a length, outside off. Nabi looks to cut it away but misses.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Mohammad Nabi, ! 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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Mohammad Nabi, ! 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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Asghar Afghan, 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.
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.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, Full and on off. Nabi defends it back to the bowler.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, ! Nicely played. Full length and outside off. Nabi hangs back and steers it past short third man and bags a boundary.
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.Â
David Wiese to Asghar Afghan, A single as this eased down to long on by Afghan.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, 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.
JJ Smit to Asghar Afghan, ! 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.
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.
JJ Smit to Asghar Afghan, Short and outside off. The ball moves away. Afghan leaves it alone. Wide called.
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.
JJ Smit to Asghar Afghan, ! 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.
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 stays and Namibia lose their final review.
JJ Smit to Mohammad Nabi, LEG BYE! NOT ! 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.
JJ Smit (2-0-7-1) is brought back into the attack.
JJ Smit to Mohammad Nabi, ! Nabi has cleared his intention here. A full-length ball, outside off. Nabi gets across and drives it through point for a boundary.
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.
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.
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. is the decision. Afghanistan lose the review as well.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Najibullah Zadran, ! 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
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, Swing and a miss! Floated, full and outside off. Zadran tries to go after it but misses.
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.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Asghar Afghan, 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.
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.
Jan Frylinck to Najibullah Zadran, Nice slower delivery by Jan Frylinck. On a length, outside off. Zadran swings hard at it but misses.
Jan Frylinck to Najibullah Zadran, A length ball, on off. Zadran defends it back to the bowler.
Jan Frylinck to Najibullah Zadran, ! 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.
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.
Jan Frylinck to Asghar Afghan, WIDE! Fuller and wide outside off. Afghan looks to reach out but misses. Wide called by the umpire.
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 stays and Namibia lose a review.
Jan Frylinck to Asghar Afghan, ! 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.
Jan Frylinck (2-0-21-0) is back into the attack.
Jan Frylinck to Asghar Afghan, WIDE! A length ball, way outside off. Afghan leaves it alone. Wide called.
Gerhard Erasmus to Najibullah Zadran, NOT ! 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.
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.
Gerhard Erasmus to Asghar Afghan, Darted on the pads, Afghan tucks it to square leg and gets a single.
Gerhard Erasmus to Najibullah Zadran, Full and on off. Zadran on drives it to long on and gets a single.
Gerhard Erasmus to Asghar Afghan, Full and on middle. Afghan flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.
Gerhard Erasmus, the skipper comes on to roll his arms.
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.
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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Najibullah Zadran, Fullish ball, on off. Zadran defends it out.
Najibullah Zadran comes in at number 5.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Mohammad Shahzad, ! 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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Asghar Afghan, Full and wide, squeezed towards cover for a single.
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.
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 (2-0-20-0) is back on.Â
Ruben Trumpelmann to Asghar Afghan, A length ball, angled in on off stump from around the wicket. Afghan defends it out.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Quicker one, outisde off. Shahzad looks to cut but misses.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Nicely flighted, around off. Mohammad Shahzad waits for it and cuts it through cover-point for a couple.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Asghar Afghan, Flatter one, on off. Afghan rocks back and works it on the leg side for another one.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Tossed up, full and drilled down to long on for a single.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Skidding on around the middle stump, Shahzad can't get it away.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, ! 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.
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.Â
Bernard Scholtz to Mohammad Shahzad, Flatter one, on middle and driven through mid on for run.
Bernard Scholtz to Mohammad Shahzad, ! 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.
Bernard Scholtz to Asghar Afghan, On middle again and this is pushed down the ground for a single.
Bernard Scholtz to Asghar Afghan, Tossed up, on middle and defended out by Afghan.
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.
Bernard Scholtz to Asghar Afghan, Floated up, outside off. Afghan strokes it through cover and rotates the strike.
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.
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.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, ! 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.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, A touch short and this is pulled away to deep square leg for a run.
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.
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.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Full and straight, Shahzad heaves it to wide long on for a run.
Jan Frylinck to Mohammad Shahzad, Back of a length, on middle and stroked to wide long on for another one.
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.
Jan Frylinck to Mohammad Shahzad, ! 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.
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.
Jan Frylinck to Mohammad Shahzad, On off and eased down to long on for a single.
Jan Frylinck to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, A length ball, angled at the body. Gurbaz dabs it down towards mid on and picks up a single.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, On middle, Shahzad looks to make room and drive through the off side but mistimes it badly.
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.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton comes into the attack now. He replaces David Wiese.
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.
JJ Smit to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Good-length ball, on middle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz defends it out.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz walks out at number 3.
JJ Smit to Hazratullah Zazai, ! 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?
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.
JJ Smit to Hazratullah Zazai, Length again, around middle and leg. Zazai pulls it towards deep square leg and rotates the strike.
JJ Smit to Mohammad Shahzad, A length ball, on middle, angled across. Shahzad taps it towards mid-wicket for a single.
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.
David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, Good comeback! A yorker and on middle, it is jammed back to the bowler.
David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, ! 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.
David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, ! Mohammad Shahzad now joins the act! He says enough of being cautious. He pulls this short ball through mid-wicket and into the fence.
David Wiese to Hazratullah Zazai, Just another one! One more slower one on the pads, this is worked through square leg for one.
David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, Outside off, this is guided to short third man for one.
Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, ! 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.
David Wiese (1-0-2-0) is back into the attack.
Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, FORTUNATE ! 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.
Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, A good bumper, it takes Zazai by surprise. He misses the pull.
Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, Yet another dot! On middle, cramping Zazai for room. He works it to mid-wicket.
Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, Shorter and on the body, Zazai looks to pull but misses to get hit on the body.
Yet another bowling changes as Jan Frylinck is brought into the attack.
Jan Frylinck to Mohammad Shahzad, Angled into middle, Shahzad works it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, Back of a length and on off, Zazai waits and then plays it to point.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, ! 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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, Shortish and outside off, not enough width to cut, Zazai mistimes it to covers.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, ! Whipped away! On the pads, Zazai whips it through square leg and this one races away to the fence.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, Back of a length and on off, Zazai pushes it to covers.
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.
Ruben Trumpelmann (1-0-11-0) comes on from the opposite end now.
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.
David Wiese to Hazratullah Zazai, Another on the shorter side, Zazai once again finds point.
David Wiese to Hazratullah Zazai, Shorter and outside off, Zazai does not pick the slower one, in the end, he guides it to point.
David Wiese to Hazratullah Zazai, Shorter and on the body, Zazai pulls but does not beat short fine leg.
David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, Shorter and on off, Shahzad looks to cut but underedges it on the off side.
A change in the attack straightaway as David Wiese comes on to bowl now.
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.
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.
JJ Smit to Mohammad Shahzad, Yet another single! On middle, this is worked towards mid-wicket for one.
JJ Smit to Hazratullah Zazai, Shorter and on middle, Zazai works it through square leg and gets to the other end.
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.
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.
JJ Smit to Mohammad Shahzad, 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.
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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, ! 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.
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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, Good length and on off, Zazai stands tall and pushes it to covers.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, WIDE! Down the leg side, Zazai looks to flick but misses. Wided.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, ! 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.
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.
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 -Â 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 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 wonât be surprised if Namibia also find it difficult. If they do find a way, we could well be in for a good game.
... 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 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.
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Namibia
98/9(20 Overs)
We are back for 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.
... THE RUN CHASE ...
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
Namibia were good in bits and pieces. Ruben Trumpelmann had a day to forget, he did come back strongly towards the end but he wasnât 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.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, ! 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.
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.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, Swing and a miss! Good-length ball, outside off. Nabi looks to heave it away but misses.
David Wiese to Gulbadin Naib, Slower length ball, on off. Naib comes down the track and slaps it to long off for a single.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, A length ball, on off. Nabi works it to long on for a single.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, ! 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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Asghar Afghan, ! 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
Gulbadin Naib is the new man in. David Wiese to bowl the final over of the innings.
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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Mohammad Nabi, Back of a length, outside off. Nabi looks to cut it away but misses.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Mohammad Nabi, ! 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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Mohammad Nabi, ! 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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Asghar Afghan, 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.
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.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, Full and on off. Nabi defends it back to the bowler.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, ! Nicely played. Full length and outside off. Nabi hangs back and steers it past short third man and bags a boundary.
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.Â
David Wiese to Asghar Afghan, A single as this eased down to long on by Afghan.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, 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.
JJ Smit to Asghar Afghan, ! 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.
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.
JJ Smit to Asghar Afghan, Short and outside off. The ball moves away. Afghan leaves it alone. Wide called.
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.
JJ Smit to Asghar Afghan, ! 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.
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 stays and Namibia lose their final review.
JJ Smit to Mohammad Nabi, LEG BYE! NOT ! 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.
JJ Smit (2-0-7-1) is brought back into the attack.
JJ Smit to Mohammad Nabi, ! Nabi has cleared his intention here. A full-length ball, outside off. Nabi gets across and drives it through point for a boundary.
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.
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.
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. is the decision. Afghanistan lose the review as well.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Najibullah Zadran, ! 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
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, Swing and a miss! Floated, full and outside off. Zadran tries to go after it but misses.
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.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Asghar Afghan, 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.
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.
Jan Frylinck to Najibullah Zadran, Nice slower delivery by Jan Frylinck. On a length, outside off. Zadran swings hard at it but misses.
Jan Frylinck to Najibullah Zadran, A length ball, on off. Zadran defends it back to the bowler.
Jan Frylinck to Najibullah Zadran, ! 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.
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.
Jan Frylinck to Asghar Afghan, WIDE! Fuller and wide outside off. Afghan looks to reach out but misses. Wide called by the umpire.
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 stays and Namibia lose a review.
Jan Frylinck to Asghar Afghan, ! 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.
Jan Frylinck (2-0-21-0) is back into the attack.
Jan Frylinck to Asghar Afghan, WIDE! A length ball, way outside off. Afghan leaves it alone. Wide called.
Gerhard Erasmus to Najibullah Zadran, NOT ! 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.
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.
Gerhard Erasmus to Asghar Afghan, Darted on the pads, Afghan tucks it to square leg and gets a single.
Gerhard Erasmus to Najibullah Zadran, Full and on off. Zadran on drives it to long on and gets a single.
Gerhard Erasmus to Asghar Afghan, Full and on middle. Afghan flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.
Gerhard Erasmus, the skipper comes on to roll his arms.
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.
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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Najibullah Zadran, Fullish ball, on off. Zadran defends it out.
Najibullah Zadran comes in at number 5.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Mohammad Shahzad, ! 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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Asghar Afghan, Full and wide, squeezed towards cover for a single.
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.
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 (2-0-20-0) is back on.Â
Ruben Trumpelmann to Asghar Afghan, A length ball, angled in on off stump from around the wicket. Afghan defends it out.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Quicker one, outisde off. Shahzad looks to cut but misses.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Nicely flighted, around off. Mohammad Shahzad waits for it and cuts it through cover-point for a couple.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Asghar Afghan, Flatter one, on off. Afghan rocks back and works it on the leg side for another one.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Tossed up, full and drilled down to long on for a single.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Skidding on around the middle stump, Shahzad can't get it away.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, ! 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.
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.Â
Bernard Scholtz to Mohammad Shahzad, Flatter one, on middle and driven through mid on for run.
Bernard Scholtz to Mohammad Shahzad, ! 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.
Bernard Scholtz to Asghar Afghan, On middle again and this is pushed down the ground for a single.
Bernard Scholtz to Asghar Afghan, Tossed up, on middle and defended out by Afghan.
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.
Bernard Scholtz to Asghar Afghan, Floated up, outside off. Afghan strokes it through cover and rotates the strike.
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.
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.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, ! 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.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, A touch short and this is pulled away to deep square leg for a run.
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.
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.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Full and straight, Shahzad heaves it to wide long on for a run.
Jan Frylinck to Mohammad Shahzad, Back of a length, on middle and stroked to wide long on for another one.
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.
Jan Frylinck to Mohammad Shahzad, ! 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.
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.
Jan Frylinck to Mohammad Shahzad, On off and eased down to long on for a single.
Jan Frylinck to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, A length ball, angled at the body. Gurbaz dabs it down towards mid on and picks up a single.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, On middle, Shahzad looks to make room and drive through the off side but mistimes it badly.
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.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton comes into the attack now. He replaces David Wiese.
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.
JJ Smit to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Good-length ball, on middle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz defends it out.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz walks out at number 3.
JJ Smit to Hazratullah Zazai, ! 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?
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.
JJ Smit to Hazratullah Zazai, Length again, around middle and leg. Zazai pulls it towards deep square leg and rotates the strike.
JJ Smit to Mohammad Shahzad, A length ball, on middle, angled across. Shahzad taps it towards mid-wicket for a single.
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.
David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, Good comeback! A yorker and on middle, it is jammed back to the bowler.
David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, ! 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.
David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, ! Mohammad Shahzad now joins the act! He says enough of being cautious. He pulls this short ball through mid-wicket and into the fence.
David Wiese to Hazratullah Zazai, Just another one! One more slower one on the pads, this is worked through square leg for one.
David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, Outside off, this is guided to short third man for one.
Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, ! 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.
David Wiese (1-0-2-0) is back into the attack.
Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, FORTUNATE ! 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.
Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, A good bumper, it takes Zazai by surprise. He misses the pull.
Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, Yet another dot! On middle, cramping Zazai for room. He works it to mid-wicket.
Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, Shorter and on the body, Zazai looks to pull but misses to get hit on the body.
Yet another bowling changes as Jan Frylinck is brought into the attack.
Jan Frylinck to Mohammad Shahzad, Angled into middle, Shahzad works it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, Back of a length and on off, Zazai waits and then plays it to point.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, ! 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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, Shortish and outside off, not enough width to cut, Zazai mistimes it to covers.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, ! Whipped away! On the pads, Zazai whips it through square leg and this one races away to the fence.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, Back of a length and on off, Zazai pushes it to covers.
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.
Ruben Trumpelmann (1-0-11-0) comes on from the opposite end now.
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.
David Wiese to Hazratullah Zazai, Another on the shorter side, Zazai once again finds point.
David Wiese to Hazratullah Zazai, Shorter and outside off, Zazai does not pick the slower one, in the end, he guides it to point.
David Wiese to Hazratullah Zazai, Shorter and on the body, Zazai pulls but does not beat short fine leg.
David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, Shorter and on off, Shahzad looks to cut but underedges it on the off side.
A change in the attack straightaway as David Wiese comes on to bowl now.
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.
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.
JJ Smit to Mohammad Shahzad, Yet another single! On middle, this is worked towards mid-wicket for one.
JJ Smit to Hazratullah Zazai, Shorter and on middle, Zazai works it through square leg and gets to the other end.
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.
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.
JJ Smit to Mohammad Shahzad, 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.
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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, ! 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.
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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, Good length and on off, Zazai stands tall and pushes it to covers.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, WIDE! Down the leg side, Zazai looks to flick but misses. Wided.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, ! 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.
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.
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 -Â 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 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 wonât be surprised if Namibia also find it difficult. If they do find a way, we could well be in for a good game.
... 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 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.
We are back for 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.
... THE RUN CHASE ...
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
Namibia were good in bits and pieces. Ruben Trumpelmann had a day to forget, he did come back strongly towards the end but he wasnât 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.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, ! 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.
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.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, Swing and a miss! Good-length ball, outside off. Nabi looks to heave it away but misses.
David Wiese to Gulbadin Naib, Slower length ball, on off. Naib comes down the track and slaps it to long off for a single.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, A length ball, on off. Nabi works it to long on for a single.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, ! 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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Asghar Afghan, ! 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
Gulbadin Naib is the new man in. David Wiese to bowl the final over of the innings.
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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Mohammad Nabi, Back of a length, outside off. Nabi looks to cut it away but misses.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Mohammad Nabi, ! 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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Mohammad Nabi, ! 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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Asghar Afghan, 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.
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.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, Full and on off. Nabi defends it back to the bowler.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, ! Nicely played. Full length and outside off. Nabi hangs back and steers it past short third man and bags a boundary.
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.Â
David Wiese to Asghar Afghan, A single as this eased down to long on by Afghan.
David Wiese to Mohammad Nabi, 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.
JJ Smit to Asghar Afghan, ! 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.
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.
JJ Smit to Asghar Afghan, Short and outside off. The ball moves away. Afghan leaves it alone. Wide called.
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.
JJ Smit to Asghar Afghan, ! 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.
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 stays and Namibia lose their final review.
JJ Smit to Mohammad Nabi, LEG BYE! NOT ! 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.
JJ Smit (2-0-7-1) is brought back into the attack.
JJ Smit to Mohammad Nabi, ! Nabi has cleared his intention here. A full-length ball, outside off. Nabi gets across and drives it through point for a boundary.
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.
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.
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. is the decision. Afghanistan lose the review as well.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Najibullah Zadran, ! 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
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, Swing and a miss! Floated, full and outside off. Zadran tries to go after it but misses.
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.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Asghar Afghan, 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.
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.
Jan Frylinck to Najibullah Zadran, Nice slower delivery by Jan Frylinck. On a length, outside off. Zadran swings hard at it but misses.
Jan Frylinck to Najibullah Zadran, A length ball, on off. Zadran defends it back to the bowler.
Jan Frylinck to Najibullah Zadran, ! 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.
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.
Jan Frylinck to Asghar Afghan, WIDE! Fuller and wide outside off. Afghan looks to reach out but misses. Wide called by the umpire.
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 stays and Namibia lose a review.
Jan Frylinck to Asghar Afghan, ! 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.
Jan Frylinck (2-0-21-0) is back into the attack.
Jan Frylinck to Asghar Afghan, WIDE! A length ball, way outside off. Afghan leaves it alone. Wide called.
Gerhard Erasmus to Najibullah Zadran, NOT ! 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.
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.
Gerhard Erasmus to Asghar Afghan, Darted on the pads, Afghan tucks it to square leg and gets a single.
Gerhard Erasmus to Najibullah Zadran, Full and on off. Zadran on drives it to long on and gets a single.
Gerhard Erasmus to Asghar Afghan, Full and on middle. Afghan flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.
Gerhard Erasmus, the skipper comes on to roll his arms.
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.
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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Najibullah Zadran, Fullish ball, on off. Zadran defends it out.
Najibullah Zadran comes in at number 5.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Mohammad Shahzad, ! 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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Asghar Afghan, Full and wide, squeezed towards cover for a single.
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.
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 (2-0-20-0) is back on.Â
Ruben Trumpelmann to Asghar Afghan, A length ball, angled in on off stump from around the wicket. Afghan defends it out.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Quicker one, outisde off. Shahzad looks to cut but misses.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Nicely flighted, around off. Mohammad Shahzad waits for it and cuts it through cover-point for a couple.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Asghar Afghan, Flatter one, on off. Afghan rocks back and works it on the leg side for another one.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Tossed up, full and drilled down to long on for a single.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Skidding on around the middle stump, Shahzad can't get it away.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, ! 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.
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.Â
Bernard Scholtz to Mohammad Shahzad, Flatter one, on middle and driven through mid on for run.
Bernard Scholtz to Mohammad Shahzad, ! 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.
Bernard Scholtz to Asghar Afghan, On middle again and this is pushed down the ground for a single.
Bernard Scholtz to Asghar Afghan, Tossed up, on middle and defended out by Afghan.
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.
Bernard Scholtz to Asghar Afghan, Floated up, outside off. Afghan strokes it through cover and rotates the strike.
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.
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.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, ! 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.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, A touch short and this is pulled away to deep square leg for a run.
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.
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.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, Full and straight, Shahzad heaves it to wide long on for a run.
Jan Frylinck to Mohammad Shahzad, Back of a length, on middle and stroked to wide long on for another one.
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.
Jan Frylinck to Mohammad Shahzad, ! 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.
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.
Jan Frylinck to Mohammad Shahzad, On off and eased down to long on for a single.
Jan Frylinck to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, A length ball, angled at the body. Gurbaz dabs it down towards mid on and picks up a single.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Mohammad Shahzad, On middle, Shahzad looks to make room and drive through the off side but mistimes it badly.
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.
Nicol Loftie-Eaton comes into the attack now. He replaces David Wiese.
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.
JJ Smit to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Good-length ball, on middle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz defends it out.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz walks out at number 3.
JJ Smit to Hazratullah Zazai, ! 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?
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.
JJ Smit to Hazratullah Zazai, Length again, around middle and leg. Zazai pulls it towards deep square leg and rotates the strike.
JJ Smit to Mohammad Shahzad, A length ball, on middle, angled across. Shahzad taps it towards mid-wicket for a single.
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.
David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, Good comeback! A yorker and on middle, it is jammed back to the bowler.
David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, ! 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.
David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, ! Mohammad Shahzad now joins the act! He says enough of being cautious. He pulls this short ball through mid-wicket and into the fence.
David Wiese to Hazratullah Zazai, Just another one! One more slower one on the pads, this is worked through square leg for one.
David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, Outside off, this is guided to short third man for one.
Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, ! 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.
David Wiese (1-0-2-0) is back into the attack.
Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, FORTUNATE ! 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.
Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, A good bumper, it takes Zazai by surprise. He misses the pull.
Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, Yet another dot! On middle, cramping Zazai for room. He works it to mid-wicket.
Jan Frylinck to Hazratullah Zazai, Shorter and on the body, Zazai looks to pull but misses to get hit on the body.
Yet another bowling changes as Jan Frylinck is brought into the attack.
Jan Frylinck to Mohammad Shahzad, Angled into middle, Shahzad works it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, Back of a length and on off, Zazai waits and then plays it to point.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, ! 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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, Shortish and outside off, not enough width to cut, Zazai mistimes it to covers.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, ! Whipped away! On the pads, Zazai whips it through square leg and this one races away to the fence.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, Back of a length and on off, Zazai pushes it to covers.
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.
Ruben Trumpelmann (1-0-11-0) comes on from the opposite end now.
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.
David Wiese to Hazratullah Zazai, Another on the shorter side, Zazai once again finds point.
David Wiese to Hazratullah Zazai, Shorter and outside off, Zazai does not pick the slower one, in the end, he guides it to point.
David Wiese to Hazratullah Zazai, Shorter and on the body, Zazai pulls but does not beat short fine leg.
David Wiese to Mohammad Shahzad, Shorter and on off, Shahzad looks to cut but underedges it on the off side.
A change in the attack straightaway as David Wiese comes on to bowl now.
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.
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.
JJ Smit to Mohammad Shahzad, Yet another single! On middle, this is worked towards mid-wicket for one.
JJ Smit to Hazratullah Zazai, Shorter and on middle, Zazai works it through square leg and gets to the other end.
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.
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.
JJ Smit to Mohammad Shahzad, 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.
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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, ! 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.
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.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, Good length and on off, Zazai stands tall and pushes it to covers.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, WIDE! Down the leg side, Zazai looks to flick but misses. Wided.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Hazratullah Zazai, ! 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.
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.
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 -Â 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 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 wonât be surprised if Namibia also find it difficult. If they do find a way, we could well be in for a good game.
... 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 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.