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Dublin: Hong Kong beat Afghanistan in a last-ball thriller in Malahide on Tuesday (July 21) to secure its berth at the ICC World Twenty20 2016 to be played in India.
Needing to defend 16 off the final over, Mohammad Nabi, the Afghanistan off-spinner, bowled a slew of full tosses that were duly put away as Hong Kong crossed the line with five wickets in hand to trigger wild celebrations.
The wicket of the well-set Mark Chapman in the first ball of the final over had tilted the scales in Afghanistan’s favour, but Babar Hayat held his composure to hit a six and a four off the next two deliveries to bring the equation down to six off three.
It looked like there would be another twist to the tale when Nabi ran out Tanwir Afzal off the penultimate delivery, but his wayward bowling proved costly for Afghanistan.
Hong Kong eventually squeezed out the two runs it needed off the last ball to ensure a berth in cricket’s biggest T20 world event for the second time in a row.
Afghanistan did all the early running after opting to bat as it posted a competitive 161 for 7 on the back of a 36-ball 56 from Nawroz Mangal, who was ably assisted by Mohammad Shahzad (20), Asghar Stanikzai (29) and Samiullah Shenwari (21).
Afghanistan's good deeds in the group stages mean it has another opportunity. Its clash against Papua New Guinea at the same venue on Thursday in Qualifier 2 will be a knockout with the winner booking its ticket to India for the main event.
Brief scores
Afghanistan - 161 for 7 (Mangal 53, Amjad 3-28)
Hong Kong - 162 for 5 (Atkinson 47, Chapman 40, Shapoor 2-31)
Result - Hong Kong won by five wickets
