CRICKET - ICC T20 - Afghanistan crush Zimbabwe by 59 runs to qualify for the main round

Afghanistan batsman Samiullah Shenwari plays a shot during the match ICC T20 World Cup against Zimbabwe in Nagpur on Saturday.

Afghanistan today swept in the main round of the ICC World T20 after grinding Zimbabwe whopping 59 runs in the final contest qualifying Group B, here today.

In a game of life or die, Afghans Zimbabwe outplayed in all departments for the first scoring a challenging 186/6 in 20 overs and then bowling out the opposition for 127 in 19.4 overs.

Afghanistan won all three qualifying matches after winning their first two games against Scotland and Hong Kong, respectively. Afghanistan has been hit with England, Sri Lanka, West Indies and South Africa for the Super 10 and will open their campaign against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens on March 17.

Afghans turned the match on its head in the last 10 overs of their innings with Mohammed Nabi (52 vs. 32 balls) and Samiullah Shenwari (43 vs. 37 balls) adding 98 runs for the fifth wicket. Nabi entries had four boundaries and two sixes while Shenwari reached six and a four.

In the back-10, Afghanistan scored a massive 113 runs after the first 10 overs scored 73 for the loss of 4 wickets.

Opener Mohammed Shahzad also did a great job to go after the bowling during the Powerplay overs, garnering 40 off 23 balls with seven boundaries and a six.

All Pacers Zimbabwe, who had a decent start so far were for performances. Wellington Masakadza (0/31), Tendai Chatara (0/34 in 3 off), Donaldo Tiripano (1/41 in 3 off) all went for runs. The only successful player was Tinashe Panayngara bowling (3/32 in 4 off).

Best part of Afghans batting was his strokeplay without fear. While the leg was up, he hits the ball back, played the upper cut over third man and punished any loose delivery were presented.

Zimbabwe were never really in the fight, because it could accomplish alone 39 in the Powerplay scales with restrictions on the ground. They lost wickets at regular intervals with none of their batsmen crossing mark of 20 races.

Leg-spinner Rashid Khan (3/11 was the most successful player while Hamid Hassan bowling (2/11), Samiullah Shenwari (1/31) and Mohammed Nabi (1/29) all contributed windows.

Brief scores:

Afghanistan 186/6 in 20 overs (Mohammad Nabi 52, Samiullah Shenwari 43, Mohammed Shahzad 40, Tinashe Panyangara 3/32).

Zimbabwe 127 in 19.4 overs (Tinashe Panyangara 17, Hamid Hassan 2/11, 3/11 Rashid Khan). Afghanistan won by 59 runs.