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April 9, 2010Posted by Sahil Dutta on 04/09/2010 in ACC Trophy
Afghanistan crowned ACC champions
Tony Munro
Afghanistan has vindicated its raging favouritism for the ACC Trophy Elite title with an emphatic 95-run win over Nepal in the final in Kuwait City on Friday.
A mainly pro-Afghanistan crowd of about 5,000 cheered, banged drums and looked on as the two most passionately supported non-Test countries in Asia contested a final where the ball was dominant over the bat.
All-rounder Binod Das in for Mahaboob Alam was the only change for Nepal, while Afghanistan fielded the same team which beat Hong Kong in the semi-final.
After being sent in on a good batting track which suggested 250 was a par score, Afghanistan started slowly against tight Nepal bowling and fielding. Afghanistan were in early trouble when Noor Ali attempted a suicidal single to Gyanendra Malla who scored with a direct hit. Noor Ali run out for 5 - Afghanistan 1 for 14 after 5.4 overs. Two balls later Afghanistan were 2 for 14 when Mohammad Shahzad was caught behind to a length ball from Das. A period of consolidation followed as Karim Sadiq and captain Nowroz Mangal put on 25 runs in six overs before Nowroz was out. A shot off his legs was mistimed and Anil Mandal took a diving catch at leg - Afghanistan 3-39 and Nepal clearly on top.
Two partnerships then swung the game slightly back to Afghanistan. Karim Sadiq had been there since the start and combined with Mirwais Ashraf (59) for the fourth wicket before Ashraf was caught going for his third six. Afghanistan were 4 for 98 after 25 overs with the game evenly poised. A partnership of 97 in 103 balls between Raees Ahmadzai and Mohammad Nabi at least put Afghanistan in a position where they could look at providing their much vaunted bowlers with something to defend. Afghanistan's 224 all-out was slightly less than expected but a decent reward for a good Nepalese effort in the field. Binod Das's return of 3 for 35 off eight overs was an accurate reflection of good bowling. At this stage, the minority Nepalese contingent in the crowd had reason to feel confident.
Nepal started their innings comfortably enough reaching 16 after three overs. Paceman Mirwais Ashraf who had bowled several wides, had Mahesh Chhettri caught behind for 4 from 15 balls. Two overs later Anil Mandil (5 from 11 balls) was caught at slip to a delivery from Mirwais Ashraf - Nepal 18 for 2 after 5.5 overs and in need of a big partnership. The experienced Shakti Gauchan and Malla tried to consolidate when Gauchan (6 from 23) was induced into giving Nabi at slip a catch off Shahpour Zadran. Nepal were now 28 for 3 and the asking rate was increasing. Skipper Paras Khadka joined Malla and the pair steadily took the score 49 for 3. Malla in particular was batting well in what was obviously a pivotal partnership. Nabi, who has made a habit of playing the game-breaker for Afghanistan, had Khadka caught on his crease for a patient 11 from 30 balls. Sharad Vesawkar and Malla put on 25 off 24 balls when disaster struck. Attempting a quick single, Afghan 'keeper Mohammad Shahzad's throw to to the bowler beat Malla and Nepal were 74 for 5 from 23.3 overs. Although Vesawkar rallied with Das and Sanjam Regmi to add 40 late runs, it was inevitable the mainly Afghan crowd of around 5000 would be celebrating their first ACC Trophy Elite title. Nepal was all-out for 140 from 40 overs. Raees Ahmadzai won the Man-of-the-Match award for his crucial 52 from 64 balls as Afghanistan won by 96 runs.
At the Unity ground next door, Hong Kong held off a determined Malaysia to win the third/fourth place play-off match.
Batting first after winning the toss fifties for Roy Lamsam, Ilyas Gul and Nizakat Khan helped Hong Kong recover from 4 for 2 to post 251 from the 50 overs. It was a tumultuous start for Hong Kong, losing Nasir Hameed and Hussain Butt within the first five overs. A 110-run third wicket partnership steadied the ship with Lamsam patiently working his way to 50 off 114 balls. He eventually fell to Hassan Ghulam but the relief was short lives for Malaysia as Khan came in and smashed an unbeaten 72 from 46 balls. Gul was run out for 72 but some lusty hitting from Najeeb Amar carried the total past 250.
Malaysia had done well to restrict Hong Kong to a manageable score and they looked in total control when the openers put on 77 for the first wicket. Faris Almas stroked the ball nicely on his way to 42 but his wicket, off the bowling of Amar, ushered a mini-collapse as Malaysia slipped to 103 for 3. Rakesh Madhavan was still going sublimely and found useful support from Suresh Navaratnam (22) and Shafiq Sharif (24) on his way to 129 off 137 balls, but it wasn’t quite enough as they finished seven runs short.
Posted by: SARIE at April 9, 2010 4:06 PM
Congrats Afghanistan! Asian Champions. They really deserve it.
Posted by: zia at April 9, 2010 4:24 PM
salam to all my afghan brothers and congrats. Our team played well they r in good form
Posted by: mashal at April 9, 2010 4:27 PM
Insha Allah we will beat India aswell. hope all the players are fit for that game. cant wait for it. i dont care even if I have a GCSE English or Maths exam i will still skive school and watch the proud of Afghans live on TV.
Posted by: Najibullah Sadid at April 9, 2010 4:44 PM
Congratulations Afghanistan!!!
We Afghans are proud of you. We pray for your success in West Indies as well.
Posted by: Hazeq at April 9, 2010 4:45 PM
Congrats Afghans; we Afghans proud of you (National cricket team)
Posted by: Mushtaq Rahim at April 9, 2010 5:08 PM
World Cricket! be ready for exciting team. Afghansitan's rise continous and as expected, we are producing amazing quickies, the beauty of cricekt.
Posted by: Munawar khan Mangal at April 9, 2010 5:09 PM
That is out standing for a country still in war being always on the top in the sports field. I congratulate this victory to all fans of Afghan Cricket team and to War torn Afghanistan. I am requesting from ICC to help that team as much they can, support them financially and spiritually to keep up the pace and bring a revolution in the field of Cricket in world. I am encouraging the wealthy Businessmen of Afghanistan to support them. Allah bless you all for your hard work and incredible victories in that field ( Afghan Cricket Team). Don't forget you people are in our prayers. Wish you best of lucks.May Allah bless you with more victories. Munawar Khan Mangal.
Posted by: afg carlos at April 9, 2010 5:40 PM
this is just wonderful blessing of Allah tht he blessed us again with such a big vitorous event and we have still hopes high for next events its not important to lose or win but keep trying and having effort and learning from mistakes is a very key point here anyways afghan team congratulation once again for ur this victory and yah dont be worried till u r united and playing for ur nation once u will play for urself or for ur self popularity then u will be always down cuz unity is strenght and be united always in trouble seek help of ALlah and in Happiness offer two rakah salah of shokrana this wat so much liked by ALlah from his servants.
Posted by: afg carlos at April 9, 2010 5:40 PM
this is just wonderful blessing of Allah tht he blessed us again with such a big vitorous event and we have still hopes high for next events its not important to lose or win but keep trying and having effort and learning from mistakes is a very key point here anyways afghan team congratulation once again for ur this victory and yah dont be worried till u r united and playing for ur nation once u will play for urself or for ur self popularity then u will be always down cuz unity is strenght and be united always in trouble seek help of ALlah and in Happiness offer two rakah salah of shokrana this wat so much liked by ALlah from his servants.
Posted by: Askar Niazi,Sweden at April 9, 2010 6:26 PM
I saw it coming way back in Jersey and now da big fish is waiting in the Carribian*, honestly speaking i've dream'd of an Afgh victory over SA and we beating them comprehensively as our batsmen kept a very sentalizing RR of 13.00 or something. Hope it becomes true and we are through to the super eights!! Cheerz
Posted by: Fahim at April 9, 2010 7:01 PM
Great Cricket ! Keep up the good cricket, well done Afghans :)
Posted by: Naqib at April 9, 2010 7:24 PM
Afghanistan is the best team after test-nations!
No wonder if they win! brilliant anyway
Posted by: ahmad rawfy at April 9, 2010 7:58 PM
salam alikum
mashallah well done afghan boys,may allah give you guys the power to bet the othe two team in the t20 world cup inshallah, if not we will enjoy just watching just being there
Posted by: saeed at April 9, 2010 8:50 PM
Great Job boys, you are the reall Ambassadors of the wartorn country (Afghanistan), i really proud on urs............... best luck for future
Posted by: majeed at April 9, 2010 9:23 PM
Zandaa baad Afghanistan show them who we are in any filed we afghans can fight.
Posted by: nirakar at April 10, 2010 12:17 AM
nepalese we will rock the world someother time lets cheers for afganistan this time
Posted by: Man B. Katuwal at April 10, 2010 2:31 AM
Keep on attempting Nepal U will certainly succeed next time. Learn from now amd improve the mistakes and weakness in future. We have acknowledged that Nepal has done a lot in the cricket and still much more has remained to do in International perspective.
Posted by: anil at April 10, 2010 9:02 AM
verybad batting of nepal.nepal wil never get chance to playin ICC.
Posted by: Tony at April 10, 2010 9:57 AM
Afghanistan is unbroken, i believe this team will reach to the top, and I'm happy for afghanistan
Posted by: ashish at April 11, 2010 3:14 AM
these are the poor counntry matches i am notthink that any one like to se these matces.these type of low score not good for aintnational teams..
Posted by: Neha Dhupia at April 11, 2010 8:38 AM
Finly Afghanistan done it... Congratulations Afghanistan Cricket Team
Posted by: Abdul Bari Ahmadzai at April 12, 2010 4:31 AM
good job champs
mission completed
Posted by: abdullah adil at April 12, 2010 4:43 AM
its a beg victory for afghansitan not only for these players, its a proud of all afghan peaple.
so i am request to all afghanes they should pray for our heores they be came winner in next t20 world cup... inshallah
Posted by: krishnaoli at April 12, 2010 5:47 AM
WE loose in final match but if we look our team record we are just a behind Afghanistan team. in final Nepal did mistake after choose fielding. and other factor they send to in no 2 sharad veswakr but they paras came in that position because paras did not good form these days. no one player tried to attack hit big boundary.
Posted by: shoaib at April 12, 2010 6:20 AM
Finly Afghanistan done it... Congratulations Afghanistan Cricket Team
Posted by: Amin Kakar at April 12, 2010 6:20 AM
Afghanistan made it, excellent achievement and be ready for World Cup in May 2010. Wishing you all the best and a GREAT sucess.
Posted by: Amin Zamani at April 12, 2010 2:11 PM
@Ashish,
I think the only thing poor is: your English.
Great performance from Afghanistan. I hope they keep going on and don't become bigheaded.
Posted by: Terry Jones of Australia at April 12, 2010 3:23 PM
It will be interesting to see how Afganistan do against test nations in the World T20 Cup later this month. I think if Afganistan do well over the next couple of years they could be playing test cricket within 4 years.
Posted by: khan at April 13, 2010 3:15 AM
Well Done. Afghans are pround that you guys represent them. May your team find success and your country peace..
Posted by: Fazle Ahmad Fazle at April 13, 2010 3:37 AM
I would like to appreciate all the efforts of Afghan Heros as they proved themselves in a very less time Keep the Momentum
Posted by: Anil Koshy at April 13, 2010 4:02 AM
Its a victory for the game. ICC should encourage both Afganistan & Nepal.
Posted by: Shakir Stanekzai at April 13, 2010 6:30 AM
Dear Ashish its not about poor country matches its about passion of cricket we will in West indies first match is Against india Inshallah we will win this one then i think you will change your mind
Posted by: Aimal Hakim at April 13, 2010 6:38 AM
Gr8 job Afghanistan, your efforts have put you on top, secondly I would like to draw Mr. Ashsih's attention toward India Vs Afghanistan match in World T20 on 1st May 2010. Watch it and then comment.
Posted by: Doctor Izzat at April 13, 2010 7:41 AM
these countries like Afghanistan has the spirit to win matches . this is not aintnational Mr ashish gupta first correct your spelling this is international. Insha Allah we will from india on first May.
Posted by: Dr.Hazrat at April 13, 2010 8:17 AM
Huge victor for Afghans , Now it is the time for doing more :
I advice Afghan Captain,Nawroz Mangal you will the winners in T20 Cup against strong India and South Africa if yuo could start and contineou attacking cricket. otherwise it will be impossible to beat even a team
Posted by: Ahmad Asif Paktiawal at April 13, 2010 8:38 AM
Congratulation to all Afghans, and especialy to our Super Heros 'Crickters'. In this tough era, for Afghanistan, doing an excellent Job in the world of Ball and Bat. We Afghans can bring many of wins, if the rest of world take thier lags from this Moaintain Land of Khans.
I hope for our team, to be the Greatest team at all, and wish from Allah to be with them, in every moments.
Allah Sta Der Shookar De.
Posted by: popal at April 13, 2010 3:23 PM
finaly afghanistan win this is good but they will play with international such as india...so this is proud afghanistan
Posted by: Taj at April 13, 2010 6:25 PM
afghanistan is a good cricket team the are all hard worker they have not truf pitch in afghanistan but they are don it. thanks afghanistan i wish u live long life.
Posted by: Taj at April 13, 2010 6:26 PM
afghanistan is a good cricket team the are all hard worker they have not truf pitch in afghanistan but they are don it. thanks afghanistan i wish u live long life.
Posted by: shoaib at April 14, 2010 4:00 AM
to ashish: we'll see u at the rich country matches soon then :)
Posted by: fazz afg at April 14, 2010 5:46 AM
emirate pitches are slow even australia struggled if you had watched the series between aus and pak last yr in non of the matches they score more than 260 the series ave score was around 220 so it doesnt mean that afg is shit get ur facts straight ashish
Posted by: M.Tariq Dildar at April 14, 2010 9:34 AM
Well done Afghanistan Cricket team you guys always rocked, and made us Proud.
Best of luck in the future
Posted by: M.Tariq Dildar at April 14, 2010 9:40 AM
Well done Afghanistan Cricket team you guys always rocked, and made us Proud.
Best of luck in the future
Posted by: hamid at April 14, 2010 9:56 AM
hi this is hamid from afghanistan wow afghan heroes you have done it again congrats keep it friends you are the champions of tomarrow with this lack of every thing in afghanistan you heroes are becoming champions we all proud of you champions and this is just the beginging and all afhganistan know that you all will do it
Posted by: Naj at April 14, 2010 10:09 AM
Dear Ashish, i think ur ideas are good for nothing and my advice for you would be that in future think before u write something and also learn to write before posting something
Posted by: Terry Jones of Australia at April 15, 2010 7:18 AM
I think Afganistan is on track to be the 11th or (hopefully after Ireland) 12th Test team with ACC, Intercontinential, World T20 Qualifiers and other successes.
I would like to see Afganistan put in an application for full status (& thus test status) upon conclusion of a successful 2009-10 Intercontinual Cup tournament.
Hopefully the ICC will accept both Ireland and Afganistan and make it a 12 team competition with 4 top teams (Aust, SA, Ind, Eng), 4 middle teams (SRL, Pak, NZ, WI) and 4 minor teams (Bang, Zimb, Irl, Afg). Perhaps then test cricket should look at a 3 group system, with Top vs Top & Middle, Middle vs Top, Middle & Minor and Minor vs Middle, Minor & ICup.
Each group could play Home & Away against their group and against other group play one series in lower ranked country.
Thus every 4 years teams play 10-14 series (2 tests each), being:
Top 3 home vs T, 7 away vs T/M
Mid 7 home vs T/M, 7 away vs M/L
Min 7 home vs M/L, 3 away vs L
Boards can play extra/longer series
Posted by: Walid at April 15, 2010 9:08 AM
Oh Great Afghans and Afghanistan Cricket Team. Congrats for your big win and trophy. Wish u all the success in future games and best of luck. We all pray for you and keep working hard for the ICC World Cup T20.
Posted by: Afridi at April 15, 2010 9:25 AM
i am also a cricketer of Afghanistan and I am so happy for Afghan cricket team to qualify they to T-20worldcup
Posted by: noucover at April 15, 2010 10:13 AM
hey......'Ashish' u don't know any thing about cricket..there are many time & in many match INDIA not able to do more than 130 or 150...
...But Afghanistan there are lot of facility problem....player also have face some personal problem....some political pressure...and so many problem the whole world know about that........
but still don't give hopes..& try their best....
well done Afghanistan cricket team.
Posted by: Mohammad Nasim Ihsan at April 17, 2010 7:31 AM
well done Afghanistan. Keep going with the same pace and soon, you will be one the best cricket playing nations. INSHALLAH
Posted by: ajmal at April 17, 2010 8:05 PM
well first of all i congratulation to afghanistan team
afghani show their talent to world that they can do it and also they play with big teams also
Posted by: Hamid at April 18, 2010 7:14 AM
Ashish, a low scoring match is also intrsting which shows the bowlers performance and abilities and all Afghans are intersted to see every kind match which our team is performing, losing or winning. and i do much apreciate Afghan Cricket team for a fabouless performance in very short time, in compairing to other teams
Posted by: samsoor at April 18, 2010 7:34 AM
Congratulations afghanistan crcket team and i am so hoppy to Nabi joind the team and take tow win easy
Posted by: Ismail at April 18, 2010 4:25 PM
Not finally they beat Nepal convincingly,crushed them.
Posted by: aparna frm delhi at April 19, 2010 12:17 AM
Congratulations Afghanistan!...many more wins to come:)Best of luck for World twenty 20**
Posted by: Sharif at April 21, 2010 6:41 AM
@Ashish! Don't think that Afghans are only brave in fighting...keep in mind that they have the ability to beat the strongest teams (India too).. and we see it in T20 World Cup...!!!! Great Job Afghanistan Team...Best of luck...Victory is waiting for you in T20. (Inshallah).
Posted by: Naseer Ahmad at April 21, 2010 12:27 PM
Afghan are the bravest people in the world and I which to be success in all types of game mostly in cricket, I know that Afghanistan team is poor from economics not from braveness and pawore if good is welling they will be the star of T20 world cup2010 and I which them to be success with my praying to Allah. I am give advice to all the world that Afghan people are peaceful people just this is an exam to see the world people when they qualify for T20 cup in the world not fighters and please let the Afghan people to be in peace.
Thanks from all world people when thy support us in bringing peace and building in Afghainstan
Posted by: naveed ahmad at April 21, 2010 5:55 PM
Inshallah Afghan cricket team will upset one of the greatest teams of cricket.no matter if they loose they have acheive something impossile in only 8 yrs which no country has ever done in history.Afghan cricketer though very new have played with pakistani cricketer long before.even hamid hassan has palyed for melbourne cricket group.I am waiting to see our loins beating the greatest teams.
Inshallah by the will of ALLAH we will succeed as we have before.
Posted by: mohsin ali shah at April 22, 2010 2:01 AM
i think afghanistan is the best team in allaroyund the world they really work hard
Posted by: Ehssan at April 22, 2010 5:16 AM
Aashish, never give negative feedbacks on anytime, each could be best. And remember that cricket is very new in Afghanistan and this is accepted by Cricket World Council, that Afghan are moving very fast.
Anyway, Congratulations for all Afghans. We pray for Almighty Allah, that Afghans will return homeland with great success from T20 worldcup in WI.
Posted by: MONIR AHMAD at April 22, 2010 8:41 AM
TAHNKS ALL FOR POSTING YOUR NICE COMMENTS ABOUT AFGHAN CRICKET TEAM AND AFGHANISTAN.
Posted by: bal krishna parajuli at April 22, 2010 9:39 AM
always the same problem with Nepal, the batting fails again. Anyway the cricket enthusiasm is never over...we ll again meet them at final and see.......
for now full credits for Afghanistan
bal krishna form kathmandu
Posted by: sabawoon at April 24, 2010 2:47 PM
excellent afghanistan cricket team evey one know that afghan people r brave ........
and you will see ashish that we will beat india too in 20 twenty match.
hp afghan win world 20twenty .
Posted by: rajiv karna,janakpur,nepal at May 1, 2010 4:53 AM
thanks,to nepal team 4 reach in final and wish 2 best of luck in future.
Posted by: aman at May 1, 2010 10:30 AM
hey mashal dont be so excited nd if u r not aware then undrstnd it now ur fckn afghani team cant beat d men in blue ie d indian team
Posted by: aman at May 1, 2010 10:32 AM
hey mashal dont be so excited nd if u r not aware then undrstnd it now ur fckn afghani team cant beat d men in blue ie d indian team nd u sabawoon bravery is not needed in cricket the mst imprtnt thing that is rqurd in cricket is skills nd tactics that ur fckn team hasnt got
Posted by: sayed jan saeed at May 12, 2010 9:10 AM
i like the improvement of afghanistan team . it was very nice to see them between the world class team .. thanx
Posted by: Alex paul at July 31, 2010 11:58 AM
Nice to watch d progress of afghan team nw a days.. They really deserve dis win.. Cmmn icc nw giv dem sum opertunities to play first clas matches against atleast A sides frm test nations, so that dey can fit in d boots of 12th test nation aftr ireland..
Realy a wrld clas team line up.. Hope we cn see hamid nd noor in 2011 ipl seasn.. Back u afghan.. only aftr d men in blue ;)
Last bt not d least hard luck dis time nepal, try to make it next time..
Alex,
India
Posted by: Navin Shretha at August 15, 2010 4:06 AM
Nepal should learn from Afghanistan.They really deserve it but its not the end of cricket for Nepali team.I will always support for Nepal.Afghanistan have really uplift their cricket talent within a short period of time.
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