Favorites Afghanistan and seventh-seed Namibia have reached the first final of the ICC World Twenty20 qualifying tournament after topping their groups. Both sides were unbeaten over seven matches in the competition in the United Arab Emirates, in which two places are up for grabs for the World Twenty20 series in Sri Lanka later this year. Afghanistan beat Bermuda by 15 runs, while Namibia won by 27 runs against Italy. Group A leader Afghanistan batted first and reached 177 for five, with Mohammad Shahzad unbeaten on 64. Asghar Stanikzai (26), Mohammad Nabi (22) and Karim Sadiq (22) also chipped in with the bat. In response, Bermuda finished on 162 for seven, with Janeiro Tucker scoring a quick-fire 37 off 16 balls, including four sixes in an over from Samiullah Shenwari. Shahzad said after the game: “I'm very happy, my team is happy, because we have qualified for the next stage. “We want to qualify for the ICC World Twenty20 2012 because the players have worked very hard together and the trainers, coaches, physios and everybody involved is working very hard to do well.” In Group B, Nambia openers Raymond van Schoor (73 not out) and Gerrie Snyman (78) put on 144 – the tournament's highest partnership – taking the Africans to 194-2. Italy battled to 167 for eight off their 20 overs, with Gareth Berg top scoring on 47. Namibia coach Johan Rudolph said he was pleased with the performance and the conditions in Dubai. “We enjoyed the pitch today. We struggled a bit in Sharjah with the low and slow pitches. In Namibia, we like the ball to come on to the pitch.” In other matches, the Netherlands and Canada from Group A and Ireland and Scotland from Group B made it through to the next stage – a cross-over format to see who eventually plays the loser of the Afghanistan-Namibia match Saturday. Ireland, which beat Oman by 44 runs, will take on Canada, who beat Nepal by 18 runs. Netherlands comfortably beat Hong Kong by 83 runs and will now play Scotland, who suffered a shock, seven-wicket defeat to the United States. ICC backs Ajmal action The International Cricket Council backed Saeed Ajmal's controversial bowling action following reports that India had complained about the Pakistan off-spinner. Indian television channel NDTV, quoting unnamed sources, said the team management had spoken to the ICC about Ajmal's action after Sunday's Asia Cup match between the arch-rivals in Dhaka. ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat, however, clarified that the governing body saw no problem in the off-spinner's bowling style. “We have tested Ajmal, checked him and monitored him in match situations, and found he bowls within the allowed degrees of tolerance,” Lorgat told the Times Now news channel. “We must be careful at what the eye sees and what the reality is,” Lorgat said.
