Afghanistan stun semifinal bound West Indies

Afghanistan pulled off the biggest upset at the T20 World Cup tournament as they downed West Indies by six runs in Nagpur on Sunday. Despite being set a modest target of 124 runs in 20 overs, the West Indies batsmen could manage to score only 117 runs.

Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi took two wickets against the West Indies in their T20 World Cup match on Sunday REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

Batting first, Afghanistan, who had to qualify for the main draw, struggled against the West Indies bowling attack. Leg spinner Samuel Badree tormented the Afghan batsmen as he claimed the first three wickets and ended up with impressive figures of 3 for 14 in 4 overs.

Andre Russell and Sulieman Benn too made it difficult for Afghanistan batsmen to score freely. It was only because of Najibullah Zadran’s heroics that Afghanistan managed to cross the 120 mark. Zadran scored an unbeaten 48 runs at a healthy strike rate.

The target of 124 runs ought not to have been difficult for West Indies, which top Group 2 after winning all three previous matches.

The West Indies batsmen could never assert their authority as they were pegged back by Afghanistan’s excellent spin bowling and fielding.

The decisive moment of the match was when man-of-the-match Zadran took a stunning catch in the outfield to dismiss big hitting Carlos Brathwaite when West Indies needed ten runs off 4 balls.

The West Indies have already qualified for the semifinal from Group 2 along with England who beat defending champions Sri Lanka in a tense encounter in New Delhi.

Jos Butler anchored England’s innings brilliantly by hitting 66 not out in just 37 balls to help his side post a total of 171 for four.

Skipper Angelo Mathews heroic 73 not out wasn’t enough to help Sri Lanka overhaul England’s target as they fell short by 10 runs. Sri Lanka failed to qualify for the semifinals after losing two out of three matches.