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Afghanistan Take on Ireland in Twenty20 Qualifier

Top two in eight-team event will win places at the T20 2010 in the West Indies.

A confident seven-wicket victory over defending champion Ireland in the ICC Intercontinental Cup match played in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, recently was the latest shot across the bows of the more established teams. The fact it was Ireland’s first defeat in that four-day competition since August 2004 added further kudos to what was an impressive performance.

But nothing will be bigger than perhaps the most unlikely sporting dual of the year as the US go up against Afghanistan in February 11 game that will surely transcend the sport itself. It is the first time ever these two countries have met at senior level and its significance will be felt all the way from Kabul to Washington, DC.

Already on the crest of a wave, cricket-wise, Afghanistan came so close to qualifying for the 50-over ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in South Africa last year and so the players will be itching to go one step further in the Twenty20 version. Seen by some initially as a flash in the pan, Afghanistan has repeatedly proved itself worthy of its place at the top table of Associate and Affiliate teams.

“The match against the US will be an interesting and exciting one,” said Afghanistan captain Nawroz Mangal.

“Our group is a tough one with Ireland and Scotland having loads of international experience. Both the sides have played in ICC Cricket World Cups and the ICC World Twenty20. They know what is required to qualify for those events and then to perform in those tournaments. But I am quite optimistic that after narrowly missing out on next year’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, we’ll be able to qualify for this year’s ICC World Twenty20 2010. We just need a good start in the tournament and our big boys need to fire throughout the next week.”

The US comes into this event with a point to prove. Invited to participate as a wildcard – along with host team the United Arab Emirates – the US will be anxious to show it belongs at this level having dropped back in the rankings in recent years, due for the most part, to a poor administration that is now very much on the mend.

“Judging from the way we played in the last tournament, which was the Americas Cup, we feel good. We want to make the most of the opportunity to play in this event and we are all looking forward to it,” said 30-year-old Massiah.

While many eyes will be trained on that fascinating match against Afghanistan scheduled for 11 February, the US will be concentrating on what will be the opening game of the tournament against Scotland on 9 February in Abu Dhabi. While many eyes will be trained on that fascinating match against Afghanistan scheduled on February 11, the US will be concentrating on what will be the opening game of the tournament against Scotland on February 9 in Abu Dhabi.

As for Scotland, the disappointment of failing to qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 will still be smarting and a good performance in this format will go some way to numbing that pain. The latest signs are good as the Scots are coming off the back of a hugely impressive victory over Kenya in the ICC Intercontinental Cup. Now, the more drawn-out stresses of four-day cricket may be the chalk to Twenty20’s cheese but when players are in form, they are in form and Scotland will be looking to the likes of Qasim Sheikh, Majid Haq, Dewald Nel and Richie Berrington, who all shone in Nairobi, to pick up where they left off. In addition, Scotland welcomes back experienced heads Gavin Hamilton, Neil McCallum, Ryan Watson and Fraser Watts to strengthen the squad.