11:55pm That will be all from us for this game. Afghanistan are into the Super Eight and they take their place alongside India and Australia, with Bangladesh looking most likely to join them in that group. Another learning curve for PNG, meanwhile, and they will be back at it in a couple of days' time, taking on New Zealand, who also suffered tonight with Afghanistan winning.
Hope you enjoyed our coverage. There is more T20 World Cup action lined up in about eleven hours from now, and we would love your company for that game too. Until next time, this is goodbye from me, Ranjith, Vairavan and everyone else at ESPNcricinfo. Take care, folks!
Rashid Khan, Afghanistan captain: Feeling great to qualify for the next round. First time for Afghanistan being in Super Eight in T20Is. The boys have done well, adjusting to the conditions very quickly and that is something very pleasing for me. It is very important to have someone like him (Farooqi), and it helps you later as well if you get a couple of wickets. The more you attack when there is help for you, the better it is for you. Even if the batter is attacking, you have to attack as well. We are lucky to have him in our side. (On Afghanistan's middle order) We are happy the way the openers played in the first two games. But middle order is all in form and they just need more time. Sometimes, it is hard in T20s when you have just 15-18 balls. It is hard to hit from ball one in these conditions. In the domestic competition, they were also scoring runs. If they get more opportunities, they will perform and give their best for the team. (On now travelling to St. Lucia) That is the beauty of playing franchise cricket, you have an idea about the wicket. Most of the guys, like Nabi, Gurbaz played in St. Lucia and we have to share that experience with the guys who have not played much (there). It is about playing your natural cricket in those conditions. We will not change our brand of cricket, and it is about how we will play that brand in those conditions. Everyone has that ability to adjust to the conditions quickly and hopefully we will have a good game there as well.
Assad Vala, Papua New Guinea captain: They are a really good bowling team and to give them four easy wickets with four run-outs, especially my run-out, that was a bit lazy. (On assessing the conditions) It has been challenging for every team. We spoke about trying to give ourselves a chance and then launch at the end, something we learnt from Rutherford the other day. We could not execute unfortunately but they bowled well too. I am really happy with the way the bowlers have been going. We have not put up enough runs for them to defend. The execution of their skills and their planning has been really good. Ale has been good with the new ball, Kamea bowled beautifully. We created a few opportunities but we could not hold on. It is a challenge, getting the exposure against quality quick bowlers. We do not face these bowlers in Associate cricket.
Fazalhaq Farooqi, Player of the Match: I want to congratulate the entire team because we have now officially qualified (for the Super Eight). I feel proud. Before the warm-up match, I was in the IPL. I did not get any chances there unfortunately. I played just one warm-up game. I know how to carry my body and I just tried to keep it simple. I try to get some wickets if there is some movement or swing. If there is nothing, then I try to go to plan B, not go for boundaries and keep it simple. We have to give our 100% and we will try our best to do it in the last match as well. (On Rashid trying to interrupt him during this interview) He is trying to make me laugh but I am not laughing (smiles).
11:32pm Afghanistan and the West Indies. The two teams that will be going through from Group C into the Super Eight. After their respective performances against New Zealand, that seemed the likely outcome and Afghanistan, at the first time of asking, set that in stone.
This chase turned out to be a lot trickier than they would have anticipated. However, they will be happy that their middle order spent some time out in the middle, even thwarting off a bit of early PNG pressure. Naib walked in to bat in the second over and was there at the end, remaining unbeaten on 49. He took his time at the start but showcased his full range of strokes as his knock progressed. Omarzai and Nabi also played useful cameos, and that ensured Afghanistan got past the finish line comfortably.
As for PNG, they showed a lot of heart and fight with the ball. Their bowlers gave it their all but they just did not have enough runs on the board. Kamea, Nao and Vanua picked up a wicket each, although they will go back to their hotel rooms tonight thinking what could have been had they put up a few more runs on the board.
Soper to bowl what should be the last over of the game
END OF OVER:15 | 13 Runs | AFG: 95/3 (1 run required from 30 balls, RR: 6.33, RRR: 0.20)
- Gulbadin Naib43 (35b)
- Mohammad Nabi16 (23b)
- Alei Nao4-0-26-1
- John Kariko3-0-15-0
Four needed now. Can Naib finish it off with one blow?
Afghanistan one big hit away from the Super Eight
Just eight needed now
Nao to bowl out
END OF OVER:14 | 6 Runs | AFG: 82/3 (14 runs required from 36 balls, RR: 5.85, RRR: 2.33)
- Mohammad Nabi15 (22b)
- Gulbadin Naib32 (30b)
- John Kariko3-0-15-0
- Norman Vanua3-0-18-1
Kariko to continue
END OF OVER:13 | 8 Runs | AFG: 76/3 (20 runs required from 42 balls, RR: 5.84, RRR: 2.85)
- Mohammad Nabi10 (17b)
- Gulbadin Naib31 (29b)
- Norman Vanua3-0-18-1
- John Kariko2-0-9-0
Sumit Borhade: "So NZ are out as Afg are inching closer to victory?" -- NZ will be eliminated if Afghanistan win
Kumar : "AFG playing it safe by rotating the strike. PNG should bring in close fielders to stop singles." -- Could be a ploy. PNG have nothing to lose really. 28 needed off 48 now
END OF OVER:12 | 3 Runs | AFG: 68/3 (28 runs required from 48 balls, RR: 5.66, RRR: 3.50)
- Mohammad Nabi8 (15b)
- Gulbadin Naib25 (25b)
- John Kariko2-0-9-0
- Chad Soper2-0-13-0
