After the almost 20 days of enthralling cricket, the ICC World Cup Qualifiers is finally reaching its exciting climax. The Windies already booked a spot for themselves in the World Cup of 2019 in England.
With Zimbabwe out of the reckoning for the final spot with their defeat against a spirited UAE side, it all boiled down to Ireland and Afghanistan fixture of the Super Sixes, which would decide the second team to qualify for the mega event next year.
The stakes were high at the Harare Sports Club as Ireland won the toss and elected to bat first. After a decent start provided by William Porterfield and Paul Stirling, the Irish side lost their way in the middle by losing wickets at regular interval.
Ireland could not stitch a partnership in the middle overs in the presence of number two ODI-ranked bowler, Rashid Khan who chipped in with three wickets in the phase.
Rashid was well supported by Dawlat Zadran in the wickets column as he picked up a couple of wickets, adding to Ireland’s misery.
It was Paul Stirling for Ireland who anchored the innings with his knock of 55, he found ample support from Niel O’Brien, who scored an important 36.
His brother, Kevin O’Brien provided few fireworks at the backend for his 37-ball 41. Few handy contributions from the tail enabled Ireland to post a below-par total of 209 for the loss of seven wickets.
Therefore, Afghanistan just had to chase down a moderate total of 210 in order to progress into the World Cup of 2019 in England. Ireland suffered a major blow up front as they were at the receiving end of the wrath of Mohammad Shahzad’s blade.
Shahzad scored a quickfire 54 off just 50 balls at a strike rate of 108, containing six boundaries and a couple of sixes. His blitzkrieg brought down the required run rate to a cakewalk for the rest of his countrymen.
However, after the loss of his wicket, Afghanistan suffered a minor hiccup in the middle by losing three wickets by adding just 31 runs within a span of 13 overs.
Ireland managed to pull it back with the wickets of Shahzad, their anchor Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi and Rahmat Shah. Naib carried on from his heroics from the last game by registering a watchful 45.
It was Simi Singh for the Irish side responsible for turning the match for his side with his four wickets. Things appeared bleak for the Afghan side with the score at 145 and four major batsman back in the hut.
Shenwari added a slow 27 before perishing while trying to accelerate, with still lots of work to do. That said, Afghanistan’s hopes were secure until Azghar Stanikzhai was at the crease.
Through pain and agony due to a stress injury on the stomach, and also the added pressure of a do-or-die match, Afghan captain played one of the most crucial knocks in Afghanistan’s history to help themselves qualify for the World Cups.
Stanikzai scored a quickfire 35 off 28 balls and was ably supported by their star from the last match, Najibullah Zadran who hit the knockout punch with his 17 off 15 balls.
With this 5-wicket win, Afghanistan ensured a berth in the World Cup of 2019 in England, and create a massive turnaround in their campaign.
Brief Scores
Ireland 209-7 (50);
Paul Stirling 55 (87), Kevin O Brien 41 (37), Rashid Khan 3/40, Dawlat Zadran 2/42
Afghanistan 213-5 (49.1);
Mohammad Shahzad 54 (50), Asghar Stanikzai 39 (29), Simi Singh 303/30
