T20 World Cup: Mohammad Shahzad, Mohammad Nabi combine to help Afghanistan post 160 against Namibia

Mohammad Shahzad and Mohammad Nabi combined to help Afghanistan post a total of 160/5 in 20 overs against Namibia, in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021 encounter between the sides. Shahzad smashed 45 runs off 33 deliveries in an innings comprising of three boundaries and two sixes. Nabi accumulated 32 runs from 17 balls with the knock including five fours and a maximum. Hazratullah Zazai and Asghar Afghan further made their presence felt with 33 and 31 runs respectively. The latter is playing the last game of his international career, and has certainly bowed out on a stellar note. It will be interesting to see if the cricketer can end his journey with Afghanistan on a glorious note, with a sensational triumph against a quality opposition.

“I want to give chance to youngsters now. It is the right time for the youngsters come forward. Most of the people asked to continue till the end of the tournament. But I thought this is the right time after the loss in the last game. There are plenty of memories. This is tough for me,” said Afghan as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Ruben Trumpelmann and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton were the pick of the bowlers for Namibia, accounting for two dismissals apiece. JJ Smit further chipped in with a wicket as well. Jan Frylinck and David Wiese were two players who failed to make much of an impact, leaking 34 and 33 runs respectively.

Mohammad Nabi opts to bat after winning the toss

Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi opted to bat after winning the toss, terming the wicket as a really good one to bat on. Nabi further stated that he was feeling really good after the team’s spirited performance against Pakistan.

“We’ll bat first. The wicket looks really goot to bat on. Feeling really good after the performance in the last game. A lot of plus points, the boys played really well. Asghar’s service in the last 16 years has been great. He has promoted a lot of cricket for Afghanistan. Mujeeb is unfit and Hamid Hassan will be playing,” said Nabi as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus termed the clash as a great opportunity for the bowlers, to put the Afghanistan batsmen under pressure.

“A great opportunity for our bowlers to put them under pressure. Looks like a good wicket with wind blowing across. It won’t be easy to set a target. We have planned the same as we planned against Sri Lanka. We are not playing the bowler, we are only playing the ball. We are not going to spend energy on the opposition and are instead going to focus on our strengths. No team changes,” stated Erasmus.

Lineups:

Namibia (Playing XI): Craig Williams, Michael van Lingen, Zane Green(w), Gerhard Erasmus(c), David Wiese, JJ Smit, Jan Frylinck, Pikky Ya France, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Ruben Trumpelmann, Bernard Scholtz

Afghanistan (Playing XI): Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Shahzad(w), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Najibullah Zadran, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi(c), Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Karim Janat, Hamid Hassan, Naveen-ul-Haq.