ICC World Twenty20 2010 …
… Joint-defending champions Ireland and the Netherlands end unbeaten runs of the UAE and Afghanistan after thrilling finishes
THE ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier was still wide open with all four remaining sides still in with an equal chance of securing the two available slots in the ICC World Twenty20 2010 to be staged in the West Indies from April 30 to May 16. Joint-defending champions Ireland and the Netherlands had to produce their best all-round performances to end the unbeaten runs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Afghanistan respectively, that has left all the four teams on equal points after the penultimate day’s action in this five-day tournament.
This means today’s matches at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai Sports City between the UAE and Afghanistan, and Ireland and the Netherlands will be as good as the semi-finals with the winners progressing to the main event.
In addition to this, winners of today’s matches will also go head-to-head in the final to be played later in the evening at 2000 (local time). The winner of the final will join South Africa and India in Group C of the event in the West Indies and the losing finalist will join Group D which includes the West Indies and England.
In the first match of the day, the Netherlands twice recovered from middle-order collapses to defeat Afghanistan by four wickets with seven balls to spare in front of thousands of very vocal Afghanistan supporters.
Chasing 129 for victory, the Netherlands slipped from 64-0 to 74-3 in a space of 14 balls before recovering to 109-3 in 15 overs.
At that stage, the Dutch again lost three wickets in 12 balls for nine runs to slump to 118-6 which left them requiring 11 runs for victory from 18 balls.
However, Essex batsman Ryan ten Doeschate took control of the proceedings and took the Dutch over the finish-line without any further loss. ten Doeschate was left unbeaten on 24 from 20 balls which earned him the man-of-the-match award.
The other notable run-getter was opener Alexei Kervezee who scored 39 having been dropped off the third ball of his innings, while for Afghanistan Mohammad Nabi was the most successful bowler with 3-23.
Earlier, Afghanistan threw away a blistering start when they reached 30-0 after four overs before finishing their innings at 128-9. Four batsmen were run-out due to a combination of good fielding and poor running between the wickets that badly hit their chances of posting a more formidable score.
A delighted Dutch captain Peter Borren, reflecting on his side’s performance, said: “Two days in a row, we have put together very good performances as we have improved as the tournament has progressed. There was a little wobble towards the end today but ten Doeschate held things together and took us over the line.
“Tomorrow is a massive game. We’re playing against Ireland and we’re looking forward to it. We’re on a roll after two good matches and we’re keen to carry the momentum into that match and win a place in the tournament in the West Indies,” he said.
Afghanistan coach Kabir Khan said he was worried with the consistent failure of his batsmen. “If you look back at all our matches, we’ve not been able to put up good scores on the board but have only won because of our bowling which nearly did the trick today also.
“I think today’s defeat was a good wake-up call for the side ahead of the most important game we have played in our brief history. I’m sure the boys will return tomorrow all guns blazing as they know a victory will put them on a plane to the West Indies,” he said.
In the second match, Ireland defeated hosts the UAE by 22 runs.
A late assault by Kevin O’Brien, John Mooney and Gary Wilson lifted the top Associate side from 117-5 in 17 overs to 152-7 in 20 overs after the trio added 35 runs off the last 18 balls that, at the end of the day, turned out to be the deciding factor.
At the top, captain William Porterfield slapped four fours in a 13-ball 22 while Niall O’Brien hit a four and a six in his 46 that came off 43 balls.
For the UAE, fast bowler Qadar Nawaz took 3-23 while Saqib Ali bagged 2-27.
In reply, Saqib Ali led a spirited UAE fight but he ran out of partners before himself becoming the seventh batsman to be dismissed after scoring 63 with the home side needing 37 runs from 23 balls.
Saqib struck five fours and two sixes in his entertaining 47-ball knock and kept UAE hopes alive in the match after it had lost the top three batsmen at the score of 17. After the half-way stage, the UAE were 70-5, while after 15 overs it was 108-5 before losing their way.
Ireland fast bowler Alex Cusack, who was later adjudged man-of–the-match, was the pick of bowlers when he finished with figures of 3-19 while Andre Botha and Peter Connell took two wickets each conceding 21 and 30 runs, respectively.
A disappointed UAE captain Khurram Khan said: “We needed a couple of good partnerships but it didn’t happen. Also, I thought our fielding was below-par and we let Ireland off the hook by allowing them to score 35 runs in the last three overs.
“But all is not lost as we have a game in hand and we can turn things around for us. We just need to put this performance behind us and come back fresh tomorrow.”
Scores in brief:
Super Four stage
Netherlands beat Afghanistan by four wickets at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai Sports City.
Afghanistan 128-9, 20 overs (Raees Ahmadzai 28; Mark Jonkman 2-23)
Netherlands 132-6, 18.5 overs (Alexei Kervezee 39; Mohammad Nabi 3-23)
Ireland beat the UAE by 22 runs at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai Sports City.
Ireland 152-7, 20 overs (Niall O’Brien 46; Qadar Nawaz 3-23, Saqib Ali 2-27)
UAE 130 all out, 19.1 overs (Saqib Ali 63; Alex Cusack 3-19, Andre Botha 2-21, Peter Connell 2-3
Today’s schedule:
UAE v Afghanistan (1200-1500), at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai Sports City; Ireland v the Netherlands (1600-1900), at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai Sports City; Final (2000-2300), at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai Sports City.