Cricket Update: ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009/10- Afghanistan flying high as they defeat Scotland to win the title
The war-ravaged nation Afghanistan picked up another feather in their cap as they won the final of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Intercontinental Cup 2010. The cup aimed for the development of cricket amongst non-Test playing nations was taking
place in Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The first class five-day match was wrapped up in three days which saw the Afghani players win the final by seven wickets. Afghanistan displayed a fine play of bowling on the pitch on the first day as they slaughtered the top order of Scotland’s 1st
innings. The only saving grace was Neil McCallum who smashed an aggressive century to score 212 runs.
Afghanistan however faced humiliation on the second day as the Scottish spin attack restricted the Afghani batsmen to trail behind 41 runs as they scored 171 all out.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AS-Scotland-c46175 started their second innings on Day 2, Afghanistan looked far away from winning the title as opener Fraser Watts started off confidently. However, they failed to capitalise on a fantastic bowling against Afghanistan as Scottish batsmen struggled
hard as the top order crumbled with wickets falling at regular intervals. As the second day came to a close, Scotland was slashed at 64 runs for the loss of six wickets. Scotland had a lead of 105 runs against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Afghanistan-c745 with leg-break bowler Samiullah Shenwari
sitting comfortable with 3-15 figures.
But the third day was the toughest day that the Scottish lower middle order could have ever faced as they struggled hard to lead the battle. As they resumed their second innings, the Scottish batsmen could not find ground against the fiery Afghan bowlers.
Afghani bowler http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mirwais-Ashraf-c1971 took the seventh wicket as soon as the Scottish batsmen took the crease dismissing Majid Haq (3 runs off six balls). The innings was finished just under eight overs for the second session of Scotland, as Ashraf took another
two wickets (Gordon Drummond and Ross Lyons) with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Berrington-c47840. Scotland was bowled out for 82 runs as Afghanistan needed to make 123 runs to claim the cup.
Afghanistan’s opener Karim Sadiq (7 runs off 15 balls) fell early to Matthew http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Parker-c80761. However, Shabbir Noori and wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad gave the Scottish bowlers a hard time, as Shabir hit five boundaries to score 35 runs. Afghanistan was on 79 as
Lyons took Shabir’s wicket.
Shahzad had an unbeaten half century who powered his team to the win. He smashed seven fours as he was supported by Captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nawroz-Mangal-c2084 (17 runs) who hit four boundaries to take his side to the brink of victory.
Scotland had their third wicket as Afghanistan was on 108. However, Shahzad had done enough damage as he along with Mohammad Nabi (6 runs) steered his team to continue their amazing rise through the cricket world.
Tags: