Afghanistan stuns West Indies

Afghanistan stuns West Indies
Associated Press / Ricardo Mazalan

“Minnows” Afghanistan stunned the West Indies by defeating them in their opening match of the all-important Super Sixes of the ICC World Cup qualifiers on Thursday, March 15.

The regional team slumped to a three-wicket defeat following its unbeaten campaign in the preliminaries.

This is the second time that Afghanistan has beaten West Indies in the ICC World Cup qualifiers.

West Indies opting to bat first at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe made a paltry 197 for 8 off their 50 overs.

Hard hitting opener Chris Gayle surprisingly made just one run, while Shai Hope top-scored with 43 off 94 balls.

Veteran Marlon Samuels chipped in with 36 and Captain Jason Holder scored 28. Opener Evin Lewis made 27.

Sixteen-year-old opener Afghan off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahaman led to the attack with three for 33 to be named Man-of-the- match.

Afghanistan started poorly as two wickets fell for 17 runs and they were three for 83 before Rahmat Shah strucsk 68 to spearhead the run chase, while Mohammed Nabi completed an all-round performance with 31.

West Indies have to blame themselves for the defeat by dropping four catches.

The loss left West Indies second in the standings, one point behind leaders Scotland on five and hosts Zimbabwe in third place.