Afridi leads the charge in Nairobi
Qatar pulled off a remarkable run chase at the Ruaraka Sports Club Ground in Nairobi, overhauling a daunting target of 332 to defeat Kuwait by five wickets in Match 33 of the
Chasing a massive total, Qatar needed a flying start and received exactly that from their top order. Shahzeb Afridi took the attack to the Kuwaiti bowlers, reaching his 105 off just 57 balls. His aggressive approach ensured that Qatar stayed well ahead of the required run rate, effectively neutralising the pressure of the 332-run target. Although Afridi eventually fell with the team score at 138 in the 14th over, his departure did not halt the momentum, as the middle order maintained the intensity required to complete the chase.
Kuwait's total proves insufficient
Earlier in the day, Kuwait had opted to bat first after winning the toss and managed to post a formidable 331/6 from their allotted 50 overs. The innings was anchored by a brilliant performance from
Qatar’s bowling attack faced a stern test against the Kuwaiti lineup. Owais Ahmed emerged as the most successful bowler for Qatar, finishing with figures of 2/58 from his 10 overs. Despite his efforts and those of his teammates, Kuwait managed to maintain a high scoring rate throughout their innings, putting the onus on the Qatar batters to produce something special.
A clinical finish to a high-scoring thriller
Following the dismissal of Afridi, the responsibility fell to the remaining batters to steer the side home. Zubair Ali provided the necessary stability and support to keep the scoreboard moving, ensuring that the early work done by the top order was not wasted. With contributions from Owais Ahmed and Shiraz Khan, Qatar successfully navigated the middle and death overs to reach 335/5, securing the win with five wickets in hand.
The result marks a significant achievement for Qatar in the ICC CWC Challenge League A, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure in a high-scoring encounter. For Kuwait, despite the individual brilliance of Bhavsar, the inability to defend a total of 331 will be a point of reflection as the tournament continues.
