Hassan, Shenwari star in big Afghanistan win

Afghanistan 162 (Stanikzai 43, Ngoche 2-29) beat Kenya 56 (Hassan 3-4, Ashraf 2-6) by 106 runs Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Kenya were dismissed for the lowest total in T20 internationals - 56 - as they crashed to a 106-run defeat against Afghanistan in the first game in Sharjah. Kenya's new low - worse than their 67 against Ireland in 2008 - was due to an incisive spell from fast bowler Hamid Hassan, who dismissed Morris Ouma, Collins Obuya and Irfan Karim to leave them rattled at 7 for 4.

Kenya, chasing 163, never recovered and continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. They managed just five boundaries throughout the innings, and with the exception of Rakep Patel and Nelson Odhiambo, none of the other batsmen made double-digit scores, as Afghanistan bowled them out in 18.4 overs. Pacer Mirwais Ashraf and legspinner Samiullah Shenwari picked up two scalps each.

Afghanistan, after choosing to bat, had put up 162 in 20 overs after Asghar Stanikzai had made a 34-ball 43. Stanikzai hit three fours and two sixes, and added 43 for the fourth wicket with Mohammad Nabi, to build on the good start from opener Mohammad Shahzad, who had smashed 36 off just 19 with four fours and three sixes.

Stanikzai was eventually stumped by Ouma off left-arm spinner Hiren Varaiya in the 17th over, but Shenwari, coming in at No.6, hit two fours and four sixes to add a late flourish to the innings.

The win gave Afghanistan an unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The second T20 will be played in the same venue on October 11th.