Afghanistan vs Namibia, 27th Match, Group 2 at Abu Dhabi, T20 World Cup, Oct 31 2021 - Ball by Ball Commentary

That's all from this game but I am sure, like all of us, Afghanistan too will be keeping an eye on India vs New Zealand in Dubai. Let's go there.

Mohammad Nabi: The boys have a good morale. Our plan is normally to bat first but mentally we are ready to chase as well. In the meetings, we tell both openers to go and play their game. The way they are playing for last ten years. We always depend on spin, but we have good seamers too. They are quality bowlers as Hamid showed today. Last night Asghar told me that tomorrow it might be my last game. It's his decision. He has played for 16 years, captained for 6-7 years, and has won a lot of games for Afghanistan. He has won the most games for a captain in the world. [On if he asked him to change his mind] He had already decided.

Gerhard Erasmus: We knew it would be a level up from the previous games. Afghanistan got away with the bat and a few partnerships stretched the total. I don't think the pitch changed too much. To chase 160, you need to bat well. It was quality of their attack and their cricketers, even with Mujeeb not playing, it showed today. We are going to take this as a stepping stone for the future.

Mujtaba: "People get so caught up in NRR scenarios that they fail to see the points are the first separator"

ashish ranjan: "Never retire in between a tournament. It does not do anything good for the team environment. But if a player is taking such a decision, you can't help but think that there is something going wrong within the board and player or something similar."

DavidS: "I think Afghanistan's NRR is being overstated. NZ and India could well thrash both Namibia and Scotland."

Naveen-ul-Haq is the Player of the Match. He dedicates the award to Asghar Afghan. "I made my debut under his captaincy, so I want to dedicate it to him," Naveen says.

"Naveen showed his talent today," Asghar adds.

"I was watching the first innings carefully, on how to bowl with the new ball," Naveen resumes. "It's special to bowl in front of the Afghanistan fans. I think Asghar has been the best captain Afghanistan has ever produced. We will be missing him a lot."

Asghar thanks his fans for all the support they have given him throughout his career and asks them to continue their support throughout the tournament.

5.25pm A thumping 62-run win for Afghanistan. That will boost their net run rate further. They were without Mujeeb and 160 wasn't a particularly daunting total but Naeevn-ul-Haq's variations and Hamid Hassan's pace didn't allow Namibia to go anywhere. Both ended with three wickets each. Asghar Afghan, the most successful captain in T20I cricket, ends his career with a win too. Afghanistan though will be worried about Gurbaz, who injured his right arm while going for a catch.

Karim Janat is back

Muaz: "How will this run rate affect/effect India and New Zealand. Seems like they will both be kicked out" -- Think more than the NRR what matters the most for Afghanistan is how they do against New Zealand and India

Mohammed Mujeeb: "Mujeeb for Karim and Hashmatullah for Asghar in the next match. Rashid at No. 8 is enough batting if they perform to their potential and Naveen "

Shah Safeer: "@Hemant don't you think Asghar should have waited a little long to announce his retirement from cricket? Can they take a replacement for him from the reserves? " --- He shouldn't have but then I don't know the reason behind his decision. Also, I am not sure if Afghanistan can ask for a replacement

Ganesh Tiwari: "Why was Mujeeb dropped btw?" --- He is injured

In an ideal world, I would drop Karim Janat for the next match, bring a fit Mujeeb in and ask Asghar to postpone his retirement. But we don't live in an ideal world. Anyway, here's Naib

Bernard Scholtz is the last man in