BOLAVEO: Scotland has defeated Afghanistan in the opening match of ICC World Cup Qualifier 2018 by 7 wickets.
Afghanistan batted first and posted a target of 255 runs for Scotland.
Mohammad Nabi’s brisk 82-ball 92 went in vain as he could not save Afghanistan from the defeat.
His inning was important in perspective of the team’s total in first half.
Afghanistan took a shaky start and lost early wickets cheaply. But, Nabi and Najibullah Zadran gave their team good support with a 149-run stand for the fifth wicket, before Scotland fought back at the death.
In reply to Afghanistan’s target, both Scottish openers returned to the pavilion early.
Mujeeb Zadran, the 16-year-old spin sensation, sent back both openers – Kyle Coetzer and Matt Cross – within six overs.
MacLeod grew increasingly confident in tackling Mujeeb, and Rashid Khan, who had become the youngest to captain any country in a one-day international, went for 10 runs in his first over as MacLeod went on to bring up a run-a-ball half-century.
The hundred came from 99 balls in the 31st over of the innings.
Berrington, meanwhile, was the perfect foil, doing well to rotate the strike. His half-century came off 68 balls, with the pulled boundary only his fourth for the day.
