Afghanistan reach A.Games cricket semis

Updated at: 1005 PST,  Thursday, November 25, 2010

GUANGZHOU: Afghanistan beat Pakistan by 22 runs on Thursday to reach the final of the Asian Games cricket tournament as the war-torn nation's battling team continued their fairytale rise in the sport. In the first meeting between the two sides, Afghanistan scored 125-8 in their 20 overs before limiting Pakistan's flamboyant batsmen to a just 103-7. Afghanistan's score did not look enough as Pakistan made a lightning start to their reply, racing to 30 off just three overs. Opening batsman Sharjeel Khan set the tone, hitting 12 off the first over bowled by Sahpur Zadran before he was lbw to Mirwais Ashraf for 23 off 16 balls with four boundaries and a six. But Afghanistan managed to apply the brakes in mid-innings. As tensions rose there was a verbal exchange between Pakistan batsman Khalid Latif and wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad before Mohammad Nabi trapped Latif lbw for 26. Naeemuddin Qazi was then run out to leave Pakistan on 60-3 and two wickets in the same over by Karim Sadiq left Pakistan struggling at 68-5. Naeem Anjum then holed out as Pakistan tried in vain to find the boundaries that would ease the pressure. Earlier, Afghanistan made a steady start through openers Sadiq (19) and Shahzad (17). They reached 35 without loss but a flurry of wickets left them struggling on 55-4. A partnership of 46 between Noori, who hit a quickfire 35 off 30 balls, and Asghar Stanikzai (10) gave impetus to the innings but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Afghanistan will face either Sri Lanka or Bangladesh in Friday's final.