Afghanistan beat T&T in T20 thriller

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):Afghanistan stole a last-over thriller against hosts Trinidad and Tobago, while Bangladesh beat Barbados in a rain-ruined game, on the opening day of the Asia vs the Caribbean Twenty20 tournament here on Thursday.

Playing at Queen's Park Oval, Afghanistan chased down 172 for victory, reaching their target with two balls to spare in an exciting finish to the second game of the double-header.

They were piloted by Mohammed Nabi who top-scored with 57, a knock that came off 36 balls and included six fours and two sixes.

He was supported by Gulbodin Naib, who smashed an unbeaten 35 off 20 balls with one four and a six.

At 140 for seven, the game could have still gone either way, but Naib combined with Dawlat Zadran (15 not out) in an unbroken 32-run stand to see the Afghans home.

They needed 10 runs off the last over and clinched victory, thanks to a six by Naib off seamer Reyad Emrit (2-25).

Fit-again West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel snared two for 35.

Earlier, opener William Perkins smashed 49 and partner Adrian Barath 27, to give T&T a rousing start after they won the toss and batted.

They added 78 before Barath perished, after facing 21 balls and hitting three fours.

Perkins, meanwhile, occupied the crease for 31 balls, striking a four and five sixes.

Former T&T captain Daren Ganga stroked a fluent 33 off 29 balls, hitting two fours and a six.

The preceding game was reduced to eight overs per side after rain ravaged the encounter.

Barbados, winning the toss, made 65 for four with Kyle Mayers getting 18 and opener Omar Phillips (15) and Ashley Nurse, 15 not out, chipping in.

Bangladesh reached their target off 6.3 overs with Mushfiqur Rahim hitting a top score of 18.