Afghanistan cap magical week with qualifiers title

Mohammed Nabi and Hamid Hasanpose with the trophy (Image © ICC)

Afghanistan have completed a memorable week in Dubai after beating Ireland by 8 wickets to capture the Twenty20 World Cup qualifiers title in commanding fashion inspired by a match winning 65 by Mohammad Shahzad. Chasing a total of 143 for victory Afghanistan made easy work of the run chase thanks to Shahzad's wonderful innings which included 6 fours and a match winning six which Shahzad smashed over extra cover to spark wild celebrations.The qualifiers title caps an incredible rise through the cricketing ranks for Afghanistan who two years ago were playing in the ICC World Cricket League Division 5.On a day when Afghan soldiers joined troops from the United States and the United Kingdom to launch a major offensive against the Taliban in the Helmand areas of Marjah and Nad Ali in a bid to secure government control Afghanistan's cricketers made history by winning the qualifiers title.Afghanistan prize for beating Ireland in the final is a World Cup clash against the 2007 World Champions India in St Lucia. Ireland meanwhile will face the West Indies in the opening game of the World Cup before playing England.The Afghan run chase started of well thanks to an opening stand of 37 by Karim Sadiq and Noor Ali. The pair set the ground work for the victory before Sadiq was caught by Andrew White trying to hit Trent Johnston through mid wicket.Ali soon followed Sadiq back into the pavilion after he was trapped LBW by Kevin O'Brien but with Shahzad at the crease the Afghans never looked in trouble as they chased down Irelands total with ease.Earlier after winning the toss and electing to bat Ireland got of to a good start as William Porterfield and Niall O'Brien enjoyed an opening partnership of 42 before the impressive Mohammad Nabi struck to remove Porterfield who was caught by Mirwais Ashraf at mid off.Cusack join O'Brien in the middle and the pair put on another useful partnership for Ireland scoring 39 runs before O'Brien was run out by Samiullah Shenwari for 28.With O'Brien gone the middle order failed to fire losing Kevin O'Brien (2), Gary Wilson (5) and Nigel Jones (14) in the space of three overs leaving the Irish 111-6.John Mooney could only add 5 runs to the total before he was bowled by Hamid Hassan leaving Trent Johnston (15), Andrew White () and Peter Connell () to guide the Irish to a total of 142/8.

Afghan coach proud of his teams achievements

Captain Nowroz Mangal and coach Kabir
Khan with the trophy (Image © ICC)





Afghanistan coach Kabir Khan has praised his team for the winning the Twenty20 World Cup qualifier final branding it his teams greatest achievement in cricket.

The Afghans beat Ireland by 8 wickets to win the final capping a fairy tale day which saw them clinch a lace in Mays Twenty20 World Cup after beating the United Arab Emirates.

"It’s a big thing for Afghanistan, for the cricketers and the nation" he said.

"It’s quite incredible that 18 months ago the side were winning ICC World Cricket League Division 5 and then they managed ODI status, they just missed out on the ICC Cricket World Cup and now they have just qualified for the ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies" he added.

"It speaks for itself about how great an achievement it is for the side. For me personally it’s my greatest achievement as a coach so far and I am extremely proud for the team and for all of Afghanistan."

Middle-order batsman Raees Ahmadzai added: "This really is a great achievement for Afghanistan cricket and something I am extremely proud and thankful for all the help the ICC along with the Asian Cricket Council have given to Afghanistan cricket in providing us with facilities to play cricket."

"We will give the Full Member countries a real test out in the West Indies – we won’t be going out there just for fun. In Twenty20 cricket anything can happen. It is a form of cricket we know very well and we will not be easy to beat" said Raees.

Despite losing the final Ireland skipper William Porterfield could not hide his delight seeing his side qualify for another Twenty20 World Cup.

"It’s great for us and the lads are on a bit of a high" he said.

"I think we showed some great character to fight back after losing the first game of the tournament (against Afghanistan). It’s been pretty good and it’s what we set out to do from the start." he added.

"We obviously talked about who we thought would qualify at the beginning of the tournament and who the main competitors were and Afghanistan have played great cricket throughout the tournament and fair play to them, I am happy for Afghanistan."

"It’s obviously great to be getting back out to the West Indies, the people are great out there, they love their cricket and it’s a great atmosphere when you’re out there playing cricket."

"We had great support out there the last time which helped as it was our first major global event and we now looking forward to getting back out there and getting the same kind of support."

Pietersen granted paternity leave by England

England could be without Kevin Pietersen for the closing stages of this years Twenty20 World Cup after the ECB granted his request for paternity leave.

Pietersen’s wife, Jessica, is due to give birth to their first child in the middle of May meaning England could be without Pietersen for the closing stages of the Super Eights, Semi Final and Final.

The lose of Pietersen who averages over 30 in international Twenty20 cricket could be a major blow to England’s chances of winning the Twenty20 World Cup. Pietersen has scored over 650 runs for England in 22 games.

When the news of the pregnancy was first announced last year Pietersen said he wouldn’t miss the birth of the couple’s first child even though England would be playing in the Twenty20 World Cup.

Despite the problems it will cause England, national selector Geoff Miller was happy for Pietersen to return to England.

"I'm a great advocator of people being solid family-wise, so I've no problem with that" said Miller. "Nobody dictates when [the birth] will be, so we'll play it by ear".

Napier aiming to prove selectors wrong

Essex and Mumbai Indians all rounder Graham Napier is aiming to prove selectors wrong after being left out of England's initial squad for next month's Twenty20 World Cup.

Napier flew out to Indian yesterday to play in this months IPL after enjoying a successful winter in New Zealand helping the Central Stags win the HRV Twenty20 Cup and qulify for the Twenty20 Champions League.

Napier is the leading wicket-taker in Twenty20 cricket having taken 88 wickets in 66 games and is one of only 8 English players who will take part in this months IPL yet he was over looked for England’s 30 man squad.

"There is an opportunity for me over the next few weeks - as one of only eight English players involved in the IPL - to show the England selectors what they are missing out on" Naprier said on his personal website, grahamnapier.com.

"I'm deeply disappointed not to be involved in the 30-man squad, having played well in Twenty20 cricket over the winter (for Central Districts in New Zealand)" he added.

"I am currently the leading wicket-taker in Twenty20 cricket and have the ability to take the attack to the opposition with the bat if required. I feel Twenty20 is a form of the game that suits me well and the more experience I've gained in it the more effective I have become."

Napier also praised the Professional Cricketers' Association for the hard work they have out in over the last few weeks trying to get safety assurances from the IPL.

"It was just a case of the PCA (Professional Cricketers' Association) working hard to get assurances from the IPL in terms of security."

"Having been involved with the Mumbai Indians last year I know the level of security they had out in South Africa (when the tournament was moved). I felt comfortable the security would be at a high enough level to accommodate us here."

Pakistan suffer major blow ahead of World Cup

Pakistans chances of successfully defending their Twenty20 World Cup title in the Caribbean was doubt a major blow after Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan were banned by the PCB.

Pakistan’s chances of successfully defending their Twenty20 World Cup title in the Caribbean was doubt a major blow after Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan were banned by the PCB.

After Pakistan’s disastrous tour to Australia at the start of this year where the team lost all nine games on the tour the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) held an internal review into the behaviour of its players.

After hearing the personal accounts of the team management and players and examination of records, videos and statistics the committee today have announced a range of bans and fines for a number of senior players.

Despite being Twenty20 World Cup champions the PCB committee were unrepentant, saying in a statement: "This will go a long way to arrest the continuing decline of Pakistan cricket and improve the state of cricket in Pakistan."

Instead of going into May’s Twenty20 World Cup as one of the favourites Pakistan will now enter the tournament in turmoil missing the services of three of their biggest stars.

Mohammad Yousuf was banned from playing for Pakistan for life because of his continuing infighting with skipper Younus Khan while Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan were both banned for 12 months.

The decision to hand out these bans before the World Cup as been meet with disbelief by ex Pakistan players including Inzamam-ul-Haq who was scathing of the decision.

"Why was action not taken earlier against these players? Why did the board keep quiet for so long when the team was on tour?"

But the PCB's general media manager Nadeem Sawar said the committee was all in agreement saying team discipline is essential.

"This is not a harsh decision because the committee has recommended that these steps are necessary and mandatory to keep the team in order" he said.

"The PCB believes team discipline is essential and it does not matter whether the players are senior or junior."

"The morale of the other players will be up as this would let them know that any breach of discipline would not be tolerated in future."

Rankin included in Irish Twenty20 squad

Ireland have included Warwickshire seamer Boyd Rankin in their final squad of 15 for next months Twenty20 World Cup after the 25 year old recovered from a foot injury.

Rankin missed the Irelands Twenty20 World Cup qualifying campaign in the United Arab Emirates last month because he was recovering from injury.

The Irish qualified for the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies after finishing second in the qualifying tournament despite losing the final against Afghanistan.

The squad captain by William Porterfield includes a number of players with World Cup experience including Trent Johnston and Niall and Kevin O'Brien.

The Irish have also included teenagers Paul Stirling and George Dockrell in the squad.

Ireland World Twenty20 squad - WTS Porterfield (captain), AC Botha, P Connell, AR Cusack, G Dockrell, DT Johnston, NG Jones, GE Kidd, JF Mooney, KJ O'Brien, NJ O'Brien, PR Stirling, WB Rankin, AR White, GC Wilson.

Afridi named as Pakistan Twenty20 skipper

Pakistan has appointed controversial all-rounder Shahid Afridi as their captain for next months Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies.

The 30 year old is currently on a six-month probation programme and was fined $50,000 by the Pakistan Cricket Board for bring his country into disrepute after he was caught ball tampering in January during Pakistan’s ill fated tour of Australia.

"After a detailed discussion, the PCB have appointed Shahid Afridi as captain for the World Cup," PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar said.

The defending Twenty20 World Cup champions have been in turmoil since February after the PCB handed out a number of bans and fines to senior players after holding an internal review of player conduct in Australia

Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan were banned from playing for Pakistan for life because of continuing infighting while Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan were both banned for 12 months.