World Twenty20 Day 3: Wins for Zimbabwe and Afghanistan set up Group B decider

Sean Williams (R) of Zimbabwe plays a shot as Scotland's Matt Cross looks on during the World T20 cricket tournament match between Scotland and Zimbabwe at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on March 10, 2016. / AFP / PRASHANT BHOOT

Spinners Mohammad Nabi and Wellington Masakadza helped Afghanistan and Zimbabwe register contrasting wins in the World Twenty20 Thursday as the two teams set up a Group B decider to make the Super 10s.

Off-spinner Nabi bagged four wickets to help Afghanistan canter to their second straight win in the group stage after humbling a struggling Hong Kong by six wickets.

Rocked by a fixing controversy prior to the start of the tournament, Hong Kong’s campaign in the sixth edition of the World Twenty20 has ended after two consecutive losses.

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Electing to bat, the Hong Kong batsmen stumbled to 116 for six in their 20 overs, a score which Afghanistan were able to surpass in 18 overs.

In-form Mohammad Shahzad and Noor Ali Zadran provided a solid start for Afghanistan and despite a few hiccups the Asghar Stanikzai-led side still looked like favourites to make it to the next round.

Earlier, Sean Williams stroked a brisk fifty before left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza helped Zimbabwe shut the door on Scotland after securing an 11-run win.

Choosing to bat, Zimbabwe suffered from regular dismissals but Williams’ 36-ball 53 enabled the side to post 147 for seven, a score which proved enough against a brittle Scotland batting.

Skipper Hamilton Masakadza gave the new ball to his brother Wellington, who combined with medium-pacer Tendai Chatara to help dismiss Scotland, who slipped to their second loss, for 136 in 19.4 overs.

Zimbabwe though had a terrible start after a mid-pitch collision between the openers which resulted in the run out of Hamilton and an injury to Vusi Sibanda’s chin.

But Williams did well to drive Zimbabwe to a respectable score with some support from the lower-order batsmen.

Zimbabwe and Afghanistan are now in a direct tussle to top their group when they clash Saturday in order to make the Super 10 cut.

Oman will play Netherlands, while Bangladesh meet Ireland in the two Group A matches on Friday.

Zimbabwe 147/7 (20/20 ov)

Williams 53, Chigumbura 20; Watt 2-21

Scotland 136 (19.4/20 ov)

Berrington 36, Mommsen 31; Masakadza 4-28

Zimbabwe won by 11 runs

Hong Kong 116/6 (20/20 ov)

Rath 28 n o, Campbell 27; Nabi 4-20

Afghanistan 119/4 (18.0/20 ov)

Shahzad 41, Zadran 35; Campbel 2-28

Afghanistan won by 6 wickets (with 12 balls remaining)

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