T20 World Cup 2021, AFG vs SCO (Super 12): Mujeeb-Rashid magic dismantles Scotland by 130 runs

Afghanistan is off to a blistering start to the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup, crushing Scotland by 130 runs in its Super 12 match in Sharjah on Monday. With this win, Afghanistan has risen atop the table with a massive net run rate.

It was a rocking start for Afghanistan in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. On Monday, it smashed Scotland by a mammoth 130 runs in its Group 2 Super 12 clash at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. With this win, Afghanistan has skyrocketed to the top of the group table and possesses a staggering net run rate, thanks to spinners Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan.

Winning the toss, Afghanistan skipper Mohammad Nabi opted to bat, putting on a splendid show. Openers Hazratullah Zazai (44) and Mohammad Shahzad (22) put on a 54-run stand before the latter departed to Safyaan Sharif in the sixth over of the Powerplay. After 28 runs, the former fell to Mark Watt in the tenth.

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However, Scotland just could not keep it right, as the Afghan batters were determined, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz (46) and Najibullah Zadran (59) putting up an 87-run partnership for the third wicket. At this time, the former fell to Josh Davey in the 19th, at 169. The latter scored his fifth T20I half-century, while 21 runs later, he departed to Sharif in the final ball of the innings, with Afghanistan posting a challenging total of 190/4.

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The Scottish put six bowlers into the attack, with Sharif claiming a couple, while Watt was the most economical of all. In reply, it was off to a nervous start, losing half of its side by the sixth over, with just 36 runs on the board. Effectively, Afghanistan had won the game there itself, with the rest of the innings being a mere formality.

In the subsequent 24 runs, the Afghans scalped the remaining five wickets, as the Scottish were bundled out for 60. There were only three batters who entered double figures, being openers George Munsey (25) and skipper Kyle Coetzer (10), along with Chris Greaves (12). The Afghans utilised the five bowlers, while Mujeeb and Rashid nailed it sequentially with a five and four-for, as the latter was heavily economic.
Brief scores: Afghanistan 190/4 (Zazai- 44, Gurbaz- 46, Najibullah- 59; Sharif- 2/33) defeated Scotland 60 in 10.2 overs (Munsey- 25; Mujeeb- 5/20, Rashid- 4/9) by 130 runs.