T20 World Cup: Afghanistan thrash Scotland by 130 runs in Sharjah

Scotland were thrashed by 130 runs against Afghanistan in their first Super 12s match at the Men's T20 World Cup in Sharjah.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman bamboozled the Scotland batters, taking 5-20, including three in the fourth over which effectively ended hope of a successful chase.

Rashid Khan also took 4-9 as Afghanistan's electrifying spin attack ran riot.

The Scotland bowlers were earlier powerless to stop Afghanistan racking up 190-4 - the highest score of the World Cup so far.

Afghanistan hit 11 sixes, including some huge hits out of the ground, with Najibullah Zadran smashing 59 from 34 balls, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 46 from 37 and Hazratullah Zazai 44 from 30.

It reaffirmed the view Afghanistan could be a dangerous side in this tournament while it was a chastening defeat for Kyle Coetzer's Scotland, who reached this stage with a shock win over Bangladesh, plus victories over Papua New Guinea and Oman in the preliminary stage.

They face Namibia on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi (15:00 BST) before the unenviable task of meeting New Zealand, India and Pakistan in their other Group 2 fixtures.

Afghanistan far too strong for Scotland

Scotland's run to this stage has been one of the stories of this World Cup.

Previously they had only won one World Cup match but here they were completely outclassed, the step up in standard in the tournament's main draw clear.

Once minnows, Afghanistan are now a side to be feared. They have a lethal spin bowling attack and their batting looked powerful.

They hit the five biggest sixes of the tournament so far in their innings, a 103m hit from Zadran and another from Zazai which travelled 101m the highlights. The attacking shots continued throughout, even when wickets fell.

Hard-hitting opener George Munsey actually gave Scotland a decent start in reply - they were 27-0 after three overs - but when Mujeeb removed Coetzer, Callum MacLeod and Richie Berrington in the space of five balls the game was done.

Nine of the 10 wickets were bowled or lbw, Afghanistan's spinners targeting the stumps while turning the ball in both directions. The other was a spectacular diving catch by wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad to see off Matthew Cross.

Afghanistan leap to the top of the early Group 2 table and on Friday face Pakistan, who beat India on Sunday.

More to follow.