T20 World Cup 2024: Afghanistan wins warm-up clash against Scotland

• Afghanistan beat Scotland by 55 runs.
• Gulbadin Naib top-scored for Afghanistan.
• Sri Lanka beat Ireland by 41 runs.

In a pre-tournament fixture on May 31 at Trinidad’s Port of Spain, Afghanistan secured a victory over Scotland by a margin of 55 runs.

Choosing to bat after winning the toss, Afghanistan put up a score of 178/8.

The Afghan side opened with all-rounder Gulbadin Naib and Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Naib quickly racked up 20 runs in the second over, including two boundaries and a pair of sixes off Scotland’s Brandon McMullen, racing to a fifty in just 21 deliveries.

While Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zardan aimed to add to the tally, they were both dismissed during the initial powerplay.

Naib maintained his aggressive stance, hitting 11 fours and six sixes. Azmatullah Omarzai contributed a solid 48 runs from 36 balls. Naib’s stint ended in the 10th over when he was caught by Scotland’s captain Richie Berrington off Chris Greaves.

Scotland’s bowlers, including Mark Watt and Bradley Currie, managed to take wickets at regular intervals, with Watt conceding 27 runs for one wicket and Currie taking two for 26 runs.

Afghanistan’s innings concluded with captain Rashid Khan adding 15 runs to the board.

In the second half, Afghanistan’s bowlers shone, with Mujeeb ur Rehman and Karim Janat each claiming two wickets. Naveen ul Haq, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Gulbadin Naib each took a wicket.

Scotland’s batsmen, including George Munsey with 28 runs from 18 balls and Mark Watt with 34 from 25 balls, put up a fight but ultimately fell short by 55 runs.

Afghanistan is set to face Uganda in their opening match of the T20 World Cup on June 4, while Scotland will take on England in Barbados on the same day.

In another warm-up game on May 31, Sri Lanka set a target of 169 against Ireland. The Irish side was unable to meet the challenge, finishing all out for 122 in 18.2 overs. Sri Lanka emerged victorious by 41 runs.

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