Nagpur: Opener Mohammad Shahzad top-scored&nbsp;with a sparkling 39-ball 61 as Afghanistan defeated Scotland&nbsp;by 14 runs in their ICC World Twenty20 qualifying game here&nbsp;today.
<img title="Afghanistan batsman Shahzad Mohammadi lifts his bat afier completing his half century against Scotland during thier ICC T20 World cup match in Nagpur. Pic/PTI" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2016/mar/9Mohammad-Shahzad-1.jpg" alt="Afghanistan batsman Shahzad Mohammadi lifts his bat afier completing his half century against Scotland during thier ICC T20 World cup match in Nagpur. Pic/PTI" /> Afghanistan batsman Shahzad Mohammadi lifts his bat afier completing his half century against Scotland during thier ICC T20 World cup match in Nagpur. Pic/AFP
Opting to bat, Afghanistan made a formidable 170 for five&nbsp;in the stipulated 20 overs, and restricted their opponents to&nbsp;156 for five.
Shahzad's breezy knock included five boundaries and three&nbsp;sixes.
Skipper Asghar Stanikzai remained unbeaten on a steady 55&nbsp;off 50 balls. He found the fence two times and cleared it&nbsp;once, dropping anchor at one end even though he looked far&nbsp;from convincing after the dismissal of Shahzad at the&nbsp;Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium.
The highlight of Afghanistan innings was undoubtedly the&nbsp;knock played by Shahzad and his 82-run second-wicket&nbsp;partnership with Stanikzai.
While opener Noor Ali Zardan (17) missed out after&nbsp;getting a start, Gulbadin Naib (12) fell to an outstanding&nbsp;catch by Josh Davey.
Shafiqullah then blazed his way to 15 off just five balls&nbsp;as Afghanistan reached a total that looked steep for Scotland,&nbsp;still seeking their first win over their rivals.&nbsp;
Scotland were off to a flying start in their chase as&nbsp;openers George Munsey and Kyle Coetzer put on 84 runs in just&nbsp;under nine overs.&nbsp;
Koetzer was dismissed by Samiullah Shenwari after scoring&nbsp;a breezy 40 off 27 balls, hitting four boundaries and a six in&nbsp;the process.
Munsey got out three runs later, making 41 off 29 balls&nbsp;with the help of nine fours.
Scotland's momentum was stalled after the dismissal of&nbsp;the openers as Afghanistan tried to claw back into the game&nbsp;after conceding 94 runs in the first 10 overs.&nbsp;
Scotland were pegged back further as Afghanistan picked&nbsp;up the wickets of Calum MacLeod and Richie Berrington.&nbsp;Matt Machan tried his bit, scoring 36 off 31 balls, but&nbsp;the asking rate kept heading north.&nbsp;
Afghanistan's 17-year-old leg-spinner Rashid Khan was&nbsp;impressive as he finished with figures of 2/28.
Brief scores:&nbsp;
Afghanistan: 170/5 in 20 overs (Mohammad Shahzad 61,&nbsp;Asghar Stanikzai 55 not out; Alasdair Evans 1/24, Mark Watt&nbsp;1/30, Josh Davey 1/44) Scotland: 156/5 in 20 overs (George Munsey 41, Kyle&nbsp;Coetzer 40, Matt Machan 36; Rashid Khan 2/28.)

Opener Mohammad Shahzad top-scored&nbsp;with a sparkling 39-ball 61 as Afghanistan defeated Scotland&nbsp;by 14 runs in their ICC World Twenty20 qualifying game in Nagpur&nbsp;

WT20 Qualifiers: Mohammad Shahzad inspires Afghanistan to 14-run win over Scotland

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Home / Sports / Cricket / Article / WT20 Qualifiers: Mohammad Shahzad inspires Afghanistan to 14-run win over Scotland

WT20 Qualifiers: Mohammad Shahzad inspires Afghanistan to 14-run win over Scotland

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