"People thought we would bowl them out in 10 overs and have the match finished by noon," said Afghanistan's coach Kabir Khan, "but full praise to the Myanmar team, the way they batted, the way they bowled with their correct actions, even the way they fielded and their positive attitude showed that they are a team with a lot of potential."

Min Wai takes on Afzal Khan

Myanmar showed that what they know, they know well. Forward defensives were immaculate throughout the 34 overs of their innings, it was when Myanmar's batsmen attempted to hit out that they were dismissed. Afghanistan's Afzal Khan and Mohammad Yamin bowled with fire and verve, regularly making their keeper Afsar Khan, standing 20 yards back, take the ball chest high.

Htet Lin Aung was bowled by a beauty which took the top of middle-stump but the rest of his colleagues kept out all the full-pitched deliveries with the straightest of bats. Once the Afghan spinners came on in the 14th over with the score on 27 for 3, the remaining Myanmar batsmen's desire to assert themselves came up against their lack of strokes convincing enough to do so.

There was however, one crisp square cut played by Number 11 Zin Ko Ko off Afzal Khan which was the shot of the day, clipped at eye-level backward of point. A not a man move shot.

In the field, defending 75, Myanmar took two fabulous catches in the deep (that tends to be where Afghans get out). Min Hein Khant's catch at fine leg off a top-edged pull by Najibullah Zadran particularly excellent. "You know, given better facilities at home and support from an international-level coach, Myanmar could become a Nepal," said Kabir Khan.

Myanmar invariably arrive underprepared for tournaments, learning as they go along. On the basis of today's match they could be winners before the end of the week.

Afzal Khan, in the foreground

Afghanistan v Myanmar at Prem Oval, Chiang Mai
AFGHANISTAN WON BY EIGHT WICKETS
Myanmar won the toss and chose to bat
Myanmar: 75 off 34.1 overs (Afzal Khan 3-10, N. Zadaran 3-18, Z. Danish 3-18)
Afghanistan: 78 for 2 off 8.5 overs
Man of the Match: Afzal Khan (Afghanistan)
Scorecard

Filed November 18 2008