02/16/26 03:43:00
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02/16 03:42 CST Afghanistan finally registers victory at T20 World Cup, England
wins toss and bats first vs Italy
Afghanistan finally registers victory at T20 World Cup, England wins toss and
bats first vs Italy
DELHI, India (AP) --- Afghanistan shrugged off back-to-back defeats in its
first two games to finally register a first win at cricket's Twenty20 World
Cup, beating the United Arab Emirates by five wickets on Monday.
Azmatullah Omarzai hit 40 not out off 21 balls and opener Ibrahim Zadran scored
53 off 41 deliveries as Afghanistan, coming off the narrowest of narrow losses
to 2024 runnerup South Africa in a Group D contest decided after a second Super
Over, finished on 162-5 in 19.2 overs.
It was a good all-round showing from Omarzai, who also picked up 4-15 in four
overs to help restrict UAE to 160-9 after his team had won the toss.
Afghanistan, though, only has a slim chance of qualifying for the Super Eights.
New Zealand has four points from two wins and could knock out Afghanistan if it
beats Canada in Chennai on Tuesday. The Afghans play Canada in their final game
in Chennai on Thursday.
Monday's result meant South Africa became the third team to qualify for the
Super Eights, joining India and West Indies in the tournament's second stage.
Meanwhile, England won the toss and opted to bat against Italy in their Group C
game in Kolkata.
Victory would confirm England's spot in the Super Eights.
Unbeaten co-host Sri Lanka plays struggling Australia in a Group B contest in
Pallekele later.
Australia must win to stay alive in the tournament.
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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
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