Afghanistan secured passage to its third consecutive ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier final after defeating Nepal by seven wickets in the first semi-final at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday. An all-round performance by man of the match Samiullah Shenwari saw Afghanistan chase down a modest 90-run target inside 15 overs, with Samiullah bagging three wickets and then scoring 24 not out.

Elsewhere, the Netherlands secured fifth spot in the tournament after defeating Hong Kong by seven wickets at Abu Dhabi Oval 1, thanks to a 22-ball 44 from opener Ben Cooper,  and Scotland’s Richie Berrington hit an unbeaten 70 to guide his side to a five-wicket victory over Papua New Guinea (PNG) to earn seventh spot.

Nepal made history when it qualified for its maiden major ICC event on Wednesday, progressing to the ICC World Twenty20 Bangladesh 2014 by virtue of a five wickets victory over Hong Kong in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2013 at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Nepal survived a last-over scare to score the required 13 runs, with 10 runs coming from the first two deliveries and a last-ball misfield producing the winning runs.

Ireland and Afghanistan qualified for the ICC World Twenty20 Bangladesh 2014 after winning their respective matches in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2014 on Sunday.

Ireland downed Hong Kong by 85 runs for its seventh successive victory while Afghanistan defeated Kenya by 34 runs that gave the Asia side its sixth win in seven matches. Sunday’s results mean Ireland and Afghanistan have topped their respective groups and, as such, have qualified automatically for the event proper.

Namibia’s Nicolaas Scholtz claimed a maiden five-wicket haul to lead his side to victory over Canada by seven wickets on the ninth day of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2013 (WT20Q) on Saturday. In the other three matches of the day, Italy shocked the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 67 runs, the Netherlands defeated Kenya by 29 runs, and Nepal overcame Bermuda by 21 runs.

At Abu Dhabi Oval 1, Namibia recorded a seven wicket victory after Scholtz tore through Canada’s middle order, claiming five wickets in three overs for the loss of 13 runs.  Scholtz’s maiden five-wicket haul is only the second of the tournament, after Hong Kong’s Hasseb Amjad claimed five for 12 against Italy on the opening day of the tournament.

Pakistan took a share of the spoils in the T20 series as they beat South Africa by six runs at Sahara Park Newlands on Friday evening to level the two-match T20 International Series at 1-1. Batting first, Pakistan piled on an impressive 176 runs on the back of half centuries from Mohammed Hafeez and Umar Akmal. The visitors then restricted to South Africa to 170 thanks to an inspired spell of bowling from Shahid Afridi who took out some three top order stars in a typical spell of fast leg spin bowling and a terrific final over from Sohail Tanvir

Pakistan also unearthed yet another fast bowling talent in 22-year-old Bilawal Bhatti in this match. Bilawal might not have got a game had the giant Mohammed Iran been fit enough to undertake the tour but he has taken his chance well after making his international debut in the previous match at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Afghanistan recorded a nine-wicket victory over Nepal in an encounter reduced to seven overs a side on day eight of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2013 (WT20Q) at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday. In other Group B matches, an unbeaten 67 by Matt Machan saw Scotland defeat Group B leader Netherlands by 15 runs, while rain forced the match between Papua New Guinea and Denmark to be abandoned without a ball being bowled.

In Group A, Ireland defeated Uganda by 48 runs, Hong Kong outclassed the USA by 67 runs and the UAE defeated the Canada by 36 runs.