Cricket: Attack reaps reward for Afghans

Afghanistan batsman Usman Ghani set up his side with a rapid-fire innings at the top of the order against the Northern Knights at Bay Oval yesterday. Photo / John Borren

Afghanistan have made a statement in their final 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup warm-up game at Bay Oval.

The tourists thoroughly outplayed a young Northern Districts side, winning a limited-overs fixture by 16 runs to split two 50-over contests against the Knights and the Auckland Aces at Mount Maunganui's rapidly evolving cricket venue.

Afghanistan batted first and immediately took the attack to the Knights' bowlers.

Opening batsman Usman Ghani set the tone, collecting 44 runs from 48 deliveries to be the first of five players to reach at least 30.

Mohammad Nabi (37) and Najibullah Zadran (41) both made telling contributions before Asghar Stanikzai smashed 63 from just 47 balls to ensure the Knights would be under plenty of pressure during their pursuit of 264/7.

Jono Boult was the only Knights bowler to have any real success, with handy figures of 24/3 off his 10 overs.

In reply, the Knights' chase never really got going.

Bharat Popli (58 off 95) and Jono Hickey (44 off 55) gave the hosts a chance, but apart from a brisk innings of 48 not out, off 26 balls, from Tim Seifert the middle order could not deliver.

A lack of partnerships through the middle and lower order left the Knights at 248/9 from their allotted overs.