Sunday 12 July 2015 20:57, UK
Opener Mohammad Shahzad smashed 75 off just 36 balls to help Afghanistan to a 37-run victory over Scotland in their World Twenty20 qualifier in Edinburgh.
Afghanistan made it three wins to strengthen their position at the top of Group B while Scotland have won just one of their three matches so far.
Afghanistan chose to bat first and lost Nawroz Mangal for a golden duck to the fourth ball of the match, the opener trapped lbw by Michael Leask (2-24).
However, Shahzad was undeterred and hit five fours and seven maximums in his swashbuckling innings.
And he received fine support from captain Asghar Stanikzai (34), Najibullah Zadran (37) and Mohammad Nabi (33 not out off 18 balls) as Afghanistan racked up 210-5.
Scotland’s reply got off to a bad start when George Munsey (6) fell in the second over.
Kyle Coetzer went for 15 and Calum MacLeod departed for 19 but Matthew Cross (37) and Richie Berrington (24) gave the Scots some hope, adding 50 for the fourth wicket.
Preston Mommsen hit a fine 44 off 20 balls but he was caught in the 17th over by Shafiqullah off Hamid Hassan (3-29) and the bowler added two more wickets in the 19th over before the Scots were eventually dismissed for 173.
