18 August 2006

AFGHANISTAN SWINGS INTO OVERDRIVE

Dawlat Ahmadzai receives the Man of the Match Award from Match Referee Roger Binny

Afghanistan v Thailand at Kilat Club

AFGHANISTAN WON BY 10 WICKETS (D/L METHOD)

Afghanistan completed an easy victory over Thailand thanks to their fast-bowlers and the Duckworth-Lewis Method as, set a target of 63 in 20 overs, they hit the winning runs with over ten overs to spare.

Victory had been set up by Dawlat Ahmadzai who cut through the top-order with some beautiful swing-bowling. Outswinger after outswinger whistled past the outside edge before an inswinger boomeranged into the stumps of batsmen 1, 2 and 3 of Thailand. It was top-class bowling that would have any team in trouble.

Thailand recovered somewhat to 97 for 5 but then the first ball after a drinks break, Shyam Sideek who was on 30, drove uppishly to mid-on and Saurabh Dhanuka did the same soon after. Leg-spinner Samiullah Shenwari had a good work-out to show onlookers that Afghanistan are an all-round bowling side.

Rain held up lay for two-and-a half hours but once conditions were set fair, Afghanistan raced to victory.

GROUP D
Afghanistan v Thailand at Kilat Club
Toss: Thailand
AFGHANISTAN WON BY 10 WICKETS (D/L METHOD)
Thailand: 117 for 9 in 50 overs (D. Ahmadzai 3 -22, N. Mohammad 2-19,
S. Shenwari 2-27; S. Sideek 30)
Afghanistan: 66 for 0 in 9.1 overs (K Sadeq 41*)
Man of the Match: Dawlat Ahmadzai (Afghanistan

Points: Afghanistan 2, Thailand 0