T20 World Cup, Afghanistan humble Scotland: Records broken
Afghanistan began their 2021 T20 World Cup campaign with a dominant win over Scotland at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday. They successfully defended 190 after bowling out Scotland for 60. Mujeeb Ur Rahman took a historic five-wicket haul, while Rashid Khan spun his web eventually. Earlier, Afghanistan rode on splendid knocks from Hazratullah Zazai (44), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (46), and Najibullah Zadran (59).
How did the match pan out?
Afghanistan made a spectacular start after electing to bat first. Hazratullah and Mohammad Shahzad shared a 54-run stand before the latter departed. Thereafter, Gurbaz and Najibullah added 87 runs, powering Afghanistan past 150. Mohammad Nabi's late cameo guided them to 190/4. Scotland started the run-chase well but Mujeeb proved a nightmare for them. Rashid Khan also took four wickets as Scotland perished on 60.
Afghanistan's highest total in T20 World Cup
Afghanistan registered their highest total in the history of T20 World Cup (190/4). Their previous highest total in the tournament was 186/6 (vs Zimbabwe, Nagpur, 2016). Against Scotland, the Afghanistan batters struck a total of 11 sixes. Three of them were over 100 meters.
First five-wicket haul for Mujeeb in T20Is
Star spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman made life difficult for the Scotland batters. He dismissed Kyle Coetzer and Calum MacLeod on two consecutive deliveries in his second over. Mujeeb also dismissed Richie Berrington in the same over. The former dismissed George Munsey and Mark Watt to complete his first five-wicket haul in T20 Internationals. Mujeeb registered figures of 20/5 in four overs.
Mujeeb attains these feats
Mujeeb recorded the best figures for Afghanistan in T20 World Cup. The previous record was held by Mohammad Nabi, who took 4/20 against Hong Kong in the 2016 edition (Nagpur). Furthermore, the former became the sixth bowler from Afghanistan to take 30 or more wickets in T20Is. Mujeeb played his 20th T20I and averages 15.43. He has an economy rate of 6.09.
Rashid takes his third T20I four-wicket haul
Rashid Khan also made his presence felt later on. He took his third four-wicket haul in T20Is. Rashid raced to 97 wickets in the format. He has the fifth-most T20I wickets and averages an incredible 12.45.
A look at the other records
Afghanistan registered a 130-run victory, their biggest in T20Is (by runs). Their previous biggest was by 106 runs (vs Kenya, 2013). This is also the joint-second-biggest win in the T20 World Cup history (by runs). Scotland recorded the joint-fourth-lowest total in the tournament. As per Cricbuzz, nine batters were dismissed bowled or LBW in the Scotland innings, the most ever in a T20I game.
