Australia saw off a determined challenge from Scotland to claim a five-wicket victory in a decisive final Group B match of the T20 World Cup for both teams at the Daren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia on Saturday.

Replying to the Scots’ 180 for five, their highest total in a T20 World Cup match, Travis Head and Marcus Stoinis hit half-centuries to help Australia pace themselves to the target with two balls to spare, and a 100% winning record in their group.

“The plan was the usual: get yourself in, play shots along the ground and then take it from there,” said ‘Man of the Match’ Stoinis in explaining the strategy through his innings and the 80-run fourth-wicket partnership with Head.

“I was just trying to keep him there, keep him batting and it turned the game, even though he got out in the end.”

Tim David’s contribution of 24* off 14 balls finished the job to lift Australia to a five-wicket win.

The result eliminated Scotland and allowed title-holders England to advance to the Super Eights phase of the competition after they beat Namibia in a rain-affected match earlier in the day, and qualified by virtue of a better net run-rate than the Scots. – AFP

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Afghanistan’s spinner Mujeeb-ur-Rahman will miss the remainder of T20 World Cup due to an injury to his right index finger, the International Cricket Council announced on Friday.

Mujeeb played in Afghanistan’s opening fixture of the World Cup against Uganda, but has not featured since because of the injury.

ICC said that its event technical committee had approved Hazratullah Zazai, the opening batter, as replacement for Mujeeeb-ur-Rahman.

Afghanistan sealed their spot in the Super Eight stage after beating PNG. They will face West Indies in their final group game on Tuesday at 5:00 AM (Afghanistan time).

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Kabul Zalmi defeated Band-e-Amir Stars by 7 wickets in the final on Friday and won the championship title of the City Medical Complex Kabul Premier League 2024.

Batting first after winning the toss, Band-e-Amir Stars posted 169-10 off 20 overs in the Ayoubi Sports Complex in Kabul.

Kabul Zalmi chased down the target by 7 wickets in 18.5 overs and won the second edition of the tournament.

Mohammad Sabir led the chase with an excellent half century, while Mohammad Akram scored 41 runs. Masoud Gurbaz added 31 off 22. Captain Qais Ahmad chipped in with 18 off 11.

Six teams, including Band-e-Amir Stars, Shaheen Hunters, Shamshad Eagles, Kabul Knight Riders, Ayoubi Kabul Zalmi and Speenghar Warriors took part in the 20-over tournament which run for 11 days.

The matches were broadcast live and exclusively on Ariana Television.

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