Karim stars for Afghans
Saturday, 4 April 2009
Afghanistan 239 for 9 (Karim 83, Nowroz 71) beat Bermuda 179 (Blakeney 68, Outerbridge 62, Samiullah 4-28) by 60 runs
Afghanistan's unquenchable confidence drove them unerringly to a convincing 60-run win over Bermuda, who were condemned to their second loss in as many days. Afghanistan batted aggressively, fielded with agility and bowled with impressive discipline throughout. In contrast, Bermuda were outplayed in all three facets of the game and are already contemplating the embarrassment of not reaching the Super Eights.
Chasing 240, Bermuda lost Lionel Cann - a batsman apparently back to his flourishing best - when he was bowled by Dawlat Ahmadza's third ball of the innings. Jekon Edness followed soon after to Hasti Gul and, in a beautifully controlled five-over spell, Ahmadza conceded just five runs to tie Bermuda in knots.
And then a resurgence took place with Glenn Blakeney and Steven Outerbridge opening their shoulders in a third-wicket stand of 118 to levy the balance. But their partnership lacked momentum thanks to Afghanistan's tidy spinners, in particular Samiullah Shenwari, the young legspinner with an impressive stock delivery, who startled many with prodigious turn. Blakeney often mistakenly played across the line to the slower bowlers but, when driving straight down the ground, looked far more assured.
Blakeney scorched a huge six over the top during his 89-ball fifty but was bowled attempting another heave, and it was left to Outerbridge to salvage a run-chase, as Bermuda sought an unlikely 115 from the last 16 overs. It was far too great a task. Hameed Hasan returned and bowled at a lively pace, with disciplined lines, to nip out two quick wickets while Samiullah deceived David Hemp with a lovely delivery that curved and dipped.
Afghanistan's unquenchable confidence drove them unerringly to a convincing 60-run win over Bermuda, who were condemned to their second loss in as many days. Afghanistan batted aggressively, fielded with agility and bowled with impressive discipline throughout. In contrast, Bermuda were outplayed in all three facets of the game and are already contemplating the embarrassment of not reaching the Super Eights.
Chasing 240, Bermuda lost Lionel Cann - a batsman apparently back to his flourishing best - when he was bowled by Dawlat Ahmadza's third ball of the innings. Jekon Edness followed soon after to Hasti Gul and, in a beautifully controlled five-over spell, Ahmadza conceded just five runs to tie Bermuda in knots.
And then a resurgence took place with Glenn Blakeney and Steven Outerbridge opening their shoulders in a third-wicket stand of 118 to levy the balance. But their partnership lacked momentum thanks to Afghanistan's tidy spinners, in particular Samiullah Shenwari, the young legspinner with an impressive stock delivery, who startled many with prodigious turn. Blakeney often mistakenly played across the line to the slower bowlers but, when driving straight down the ground, looked far more assured.
Blakeney scorched a huge six over the top during his 89-ball fifty but was bowled attempting another heave, and it was left to Outerbridge to salvage a run-chase, as Bermuda sought an unlikely 115 from the last 16 overs. It was far too great a task. Hameed Hasan returned and bowled at a lively pace, with disciplined lines, to nip out two quick wickets while Samiullah deceived David Hemp with a lovely delivery that curved and dipped.