CHENNAI: A masterful unbeaten knock of 95 from opener Ibrahim Zadran propelled Afghanistan to a commanding total of 200 against Canada in the final Group D encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday.
Asked to bat first, the Afghans posted a daunting score, setting the Canadians a stiff target of 201 to win.
Zadran Anchors Innings with Flawless Knock
Ibrahim Zadran was the architect of Afghanistan’s imposing total, playing a flawless innings under the Chennai lights.
The right-hander remained not out on 95 off just 56 deliveries, decorating his knock with seven boundaries and five towering sixes.
His ability to rotate strike and then accelerate at the death kept the scoreboard moving at a brisk pace.
Zadran found able support from the top order after Afghanistan lost an early wicket.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz provided a quickfire start, smashing 30 off 20 balls with five fours before being caught off the bowling of Jaskaran Singh.
Jaskaran’s Triple Strike, But Afghanistan Recover
Canadian pacer Jaskaran Singh emerged as the pick of the bowlers, claiming a triple strike to momentarily peg Afghanistan back.
After removing Gurbaz, he trapped Gulbadin Naib lbw for just 1 in the very next over, leaving Afghanistan at 49 for 2.
However, Zadran and Sediqullah Atal (44 off 32) steadied the ship with a crucial 95-run partnership for the third wicket.
The duo batted sensibly, rotating the strike and finding the boundary at regular intervals to rebuild the innings.
Atal played the perfect second fiddle before he was dismissed by Jaskaran Singh for a well-made 44, falling to his third victim of the day.
Despite the wicket, Zadran continued his assault. He was joined by Azmatullah Omarzai, who smashed a quick 13 off just 7 balls, including a six, before being caught off Dilon Heyliger.
Late Flourish Pushes Afghanistan to 200
In the final overs, Zadran took charge, finding the fence at will to push the total past the 200-run mark.
Darwish Rasooli remained unbeaten on 4 off 4 balls as Afghanistan finished their 20 overs at a commanding 200 for 4.
For Canada, Jaskaran Singh was the standout bowler, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 52 despite an expensive spell.
Dilon Heyliger picked up one wicket, while the others toiled without success against the aggressive Afghan batting lineup.
Canada will now need a record-breaking chase.
