Netherlands take third, Afghanistan win again
A round-up from the final play-off matches at the ICC World Cup Qualifiers
Cricinfo staff
19-Apr-2009
The last day of action at the ICC World Cup Qualifiers was about the final placings for each team and a few bragging rights. For Will Luke's report from the final, where Ireland stormed to the trophy, click here.
Third-place play-off
Netherlands' six-wicket win over Kenya in Potchefstroom meant they claimed third place, a notable success against supposedly superior opposition. Edgar Schiferli, named Man of the Tournament before this game, took 4 for 23 to finish with a tournament average of 17.38 as Kenya were kept to 179 in 43.1 overs. He was supported by Ruud Nijman's three wickets. Netherlands' openers fell cheaply, but a 119-run stand for the third wicket between Bas Zuiderent and Daan van Bunge put them on course. van Bunge hit 80 from 65 balls and Zuiderent finished unbeaten on 57 from 94.
Fifth-place play-off
Afghanistan rounded off a memorable tournament as they beat Scotland for a second time to take fifth place at Benoni in their first one-day international. They cruised home by 89 runs after a powerful batting display led them 295 for 8 before Hamid Hassan capped his personal success with 3 for 27. Afghanistan's no-fear approach was again on display as they raced out of the blocks with Noor Ali creaming 45 off 28 deliveries. With the run-rate so impressive Mohammad Nabi was able to consolidate with 58 and a partnership of 86 between Raees Ahmadzai (38) and Samiullah Shenwari (52) meant a mini wobble in the middle wasn't a problem. Shenwari hit six boundaries in his best score of the tournament and Hasti Gul clubbed useful boundaries at the death. Scotland have been disappointing and only saved their ODI status by a narrow margin so when they slipped to 11 for 2 they had a mountain to climb. After a brief rally from Neil McCallum the middle order slumped and fittingly it was captain Nowroz Mangal who claimed the final wicket.
Seventh-place play-off
UAE captain Khurram Khan hit a brilliant 124 as his team beat Namibia by four wickets to take seventh place at Krugersdorp. UAE's uninhibited style of batting which has been on show throughout the event served them well as they raced home with more than eight overs to spare in the face of a testing target. Khan and Sameer Nayak added 145 in 21 overs after the openers fell early while Saqib Ali contributed a useful 41. By the time Khan fell the job was almost done. Namibia had done well to post 267 after slipping to 98 for 4. Nicholaas Scholtz hit 54 off 53 balls as the middle order rallied but it wasn't enough to trouble UAE.