Afghanistan hits 494-4 in one of the great run-chases of all time

Shahzad hits an undefeated 214 as the winner scores an incredible 454 runs on final day

An unconquered double-century by Mohammad Shahzad guided Afghanistan to a stunning six-wicket victory over Canada on the fourth and last day of the ICC Intercontinental Cup match at Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium on Tuesday.

In one of the greatest run-chases in the history of first-class cricket, Shahzad returned unbeaten on 214 as Afghanistan achieved the 494-run target for the loss of four wickets having resumed this morning on 40-0.

Afghanistan scored an incredible 454 runs in 93.3 overs at nearly five runs per over with only 206 runs coming off boundaries, Shahzad got all his runs on the final day with his 258-ball knock including 16 sweetly-timed fours.

The victory has taken Afghanistan to the top of points table with 57 after it earned 14 match-win points. In contrast, Canada had to settle with six first-innings.

Shahzad was involved in two match-winning partnerships after Noor Ali (52) and Karim Sadiq (42) had provided a 70-run opening wicket start.

The wicketkeeper-batsman, playing in only his fourth first-class match, featured in a 163-run third-wicket stand in nearly 44 overs with captain Nowroz Mangal who scored a 132-ball 70 that included three fours and two sixes.

He then added 178 runs for the fourth wicket in less than 29 overs with Mohammad Nabi who slapped seven fours and a six in a well-constructed 80.

It was the second time in the tournament that Afghanistan had recorded a come-from-behind victory. Against Netherlands in Amstelveen last year in August, it had won by one wicket after the home side had secured a 74 runs first-innings lead.

Scores in brief:

At Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium, Sharjah (day four):

Canada 566 all out, 151.5 overs (Sunil Dhaniram 130, Ashish Bagai 93, Nitish Kumar 74, Trevin Bastiampillai 55; Samiullah Shenwari 4-118; Mirwais Ashraf 3-103) and 191-4dec, 40 overs (Trevin Bastiampillai 73)

Afghanistan 264 all out, 79 overs (Shabir Noori 60, Mohammad Nabi 48; Nitish Kumar 3-58, Sandeep Jyoti 2-45, Umar Bhatti 2-61) and 494-4, 106.4 overs (Mohammad Shahzad 215 not out, Mohammad Nabi 80, Nowroz Mangal 70, Noor Ali 52, Karim Sadiq 42)

Result: Afghanistan won by six wickets

Points: Afghanistan 14, Canada 6

Scorecard and points table available at http://www.icc-cricket.com/events_and_awards/intercontinental_cup/index.php

There will be a total of US$250,000 in prize money for the Associate and Affiliate teams taking part in the ICC Intercontinental Cup with US$100,000 for the winners and US$40,000 for the runners-up.

Having previously been designed around a two-group, three-day format, the event then evolved into an eight-team, round-robin and truly global tournament featuring four-day cricket which gives those teams who do not play Test cricket the chance to experience the longer form of the game.

This year?s format include seven teams (Afghanistan, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, Netherlands, Scotland and Zimbabwe XI), while the new competition, the ICC Intercontinental Shield, involves the four teams below that, namely Bermuda, Namibia, Uganda and the United Arab Emirates.

Scotland won the first ICC Intercontinental Cup in 2004, beating Canada in the final, while Ireland has been victorious in all three events since then, beating Kenya in the 2005 decider, Canada in the 2006-07 event and Namibia in 2007-08.

Go to http://www.icc-cricket.com/events_and_awards/intercontinental_cup/index.php to find out more.