Afghanistan ensured they will appear at the ICC World Twenty20 for the second competition running with a comprehensive win over previously unbeaten Namibia in Dubai. Victory by 47 runs booked Afghanistan a place in the final of the qualifying tournament, where they could meet Namibia again; they will play either Ireland or Netherlands - who both won their first play-off games earlier in the day - for the second berth on offer for the 2012 World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.
Having chosen to bat, Afghanistan were dismissed off the final ball of their innings for 146. Against big-scoring Namibia, other sides may have felt that score was barely enough - but Afghanistan have swept all before them in the last week and the bowlers blew away their opponents' dangerous top order, effectively ending Namibia's hopes at 18 for 4 after four overs. Dawlat Zadran was the destroyer-in-chief, taking 3 for 1 in his opening two-over spell, including the wicket of Raymond van Schoor, the tournament's leading runscorer, for a first-ball duck. Gerrie Snyman was also dismissed for 0 in the same over, before Dawlat had Craig Williams caught behind and Aftab Alam - who went on to claim 4 for 25 - removed Louis van der Westhuizen, ensuring that none of the top four made double figures.
After that opening blitz, Namibia's hopes were in tatters and they were eventually bundled out for 99. Their struggles put into perspective Afghanistan's score, with several batsmen getting in and then out. Karim Sadiq and Javid Ahmadi put on 57 for the opening wicket in 6.3 overs but they both fell in quick succession as Sarel Burger claimed three for 16 from his four overs. With boundaries drying up - Afghanistan managed 10 fours and no sixes - Asghar Stanikzai and Mohammad Nabi chipped away lower down the order. In the end, their efforts proved more than enough.
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