End of over 1 (4 runs) Afghanistan 4/0 (RR: 4.00)
Mohammad Shahzad4 (6b 0x4 0x6)
Noor Ali Zadran0 (0b 0x4 0x6)
WP Masakadza1-0-4-0
0.6
WP Masakadza to Mohammad Shahzad, no run
0.5
WP Masakadza to Mohammad Shahzad, 2 runs
0.4
WP Masakadza to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, there's a little bit of flight, looks like Wellington is settling down after all the emotion at the start. Shahzad comes forward to block
0.3
WP Masakadza to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, third one that's been fired in, Shahzad pushes his weight back and slices to point. Crisp sound off the bat again
0.2
WP Masakadza to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, that was cracked - fierce cut shot from Shahzad as Wellington bowls it short again. Point does well
0.1
WP Masakadza to Mohammad Shahzad, 2 runs, that's a bit underwhelming after all the build-up. Loose old short ball, width in there as well, Shahzad slashes it over point but he's barely timed it.
2.50 pm The flags of both countries are waiting on the outfield, and out walk the players to line up for the national anthem. Smiles all around. And with the ceremony done, it's time for the cricket. Afghanistan troop back into the dressing room. Zimbabwe get into their huddle, replete with high-fives and everything. Noor Ali Zadran walks out calmly while Mohammad Shahzad bolts to the batting crease. Spin to start us off, it seems. Hami M gives the new ball to little brother Wellington M
"Here in Afghanistan, it rained last night but shining now, shops are closed, students are back to their houses and traffic can't be seen on the road, so a very good day for cricket to watch," Big game, ample interest as Akbar Iqbal says, empty stadium.
Shivani Thakker: "It will be interesting to see the contest between Wellington Masakadza and the 7 right-handed batsmen of Afghanistan!"
"Raza has to prove his worthy today and justify himself from being picked instead of Peter Moor" --- Mufaro throws down the ultimatum, and fittingly on a knockout match
Rachit: "SC Williams is such a utility player for Zimbabwe...hope he fires big time today!! The less said about Sikandar Raza, the better. He is enigmatic."
"I am supporting zim today," According to the feedback coming in, Salman Rakin may just be in the minority today.
2.30 pm Toss time. Hamilton gives it a spin, Heads is the call and Afghanistan have won it and will bat first. "Wicket should be very good," says Stanikzai, "Important game. Those games are gone, this is a new game"
"Looks like they've taken some more grass off it," says Hamilton Masakadza, "These are the sort of games you live for."
Afghanistan: 1 Mohammad Shahzad, 2 Noor Ali Zadran, 3 Asghar Stanikzai (capt), 4 Gulbadin Naib, 5 Mohammad Nabi, 6 Samiullah Shenwari, 7 Najibullah Zadran, 8 Shafiqullah, 9 Rashid Khan, 10 Dawlat Zadran, 11 Hamid Hassan
Zimbabwe: Hamilton Masakadza (capt), 2 Vusi Sibanda, 3 Richmond Mutumbami, 4 Sean Williams, 5 Malcolm Waller, 6 Sikandar Raza, 7 Elton Chigumbura, 8 Donald Tiripano, 9 Tinashe Panyangara, 10 Wellington Masakadza, 11 Tendai Chatara
"The pitch is dry, dusty, there's plenty of cracks and the spinners will get a little bit of turn and bounce," says Nick Knight for Star Sports' pitch report.
So a little recent history then. Zimbabwe are yet to beat to Afghanistan in a T20 International match. Four times they've tried, both at home and away, and four times the Associates have humbled the Full Member. Clocks Asghar Stanikzai's team in as favourites for today's must-win match, says the preview by Firdose Moonda. But things are getting better in the Zimbabwe camp. They have Tendai Chatara back from injury. Wellington Masakadza's been turning it on as a spinner. Hamilton Masakadza's taken over captaincy and amid all that, we also have Marvan Atapattu doing his bit. Our Karthik Krishnaswamy caught up with him for a very illuminating interview.
"well well the match we were waiting for is here. FIREWORKS FIREWORKS, fasten your seats belts," It would seem Ba Leandra is fairly excited.
"Why isn't this big match played at 19:30 local time? It is official weekday in Afghanistan; we can't watch it in office. " And, Zareefullah Faz, kindly points out that despite everything there can be a lot more done. He does raise a fair point though. Odd to see Scotland and Hong Kong taking the prime 8pm spot.
Sid: "@Zarifullah , probably organizers did not want a lower viewership for India SA warm up , as i am Indian but would give preference to this match over India SA and I am sure many other Indians also would do the same."
Kaustubh Barve: "The warmup matches are not even being telecated for this World T20 so the question of viewership for IndvSa shouldn't arise"
"It's good to play this game at this time as DEW will become a huge factor in the evening game. " Zaki has the final say on this debate, and its a sensible one
2.05 pm Afghanistan v Zimbabwe. Winner goes through, loser goes home. Simple math, which is the best math there is. This qualifying tournament is winding down and today is going to be a big one. No chances of rain in Nagpur, so we'll probably get a full 40 overs' action. Let's rejoice - and simultaneously pay a moment's silence considering all of this will take place under 40C weather. Eish! The life of of a professional sportsman, eh?
"Better to play in 40 degrees than to drench in 4mm rain!!" Aakash chimes in with some timely witticisms. Or maybe I'm just an easy moderator.
