SUNRISE/FL – Former South African international Wayne Parnell grabbed career-best figures of 7/12 to bowl out Afghan Zwanan for just 81 runs, as they lost their final preliminary round match of the US Open T20 tournament to Atlanta Param Veers at the Central Broward Regional Park in Fort Lauderdale.
Afghan openers Shetty and Afzal posted a first wicket partnership of 47 runs and no one could have imagined what was to come next as the left-arm seamer created one of the best spells ever seen in the 12-year history of the US Open.
Trinidadian leg-spinner Kissoondath Magram removed both openers and then Parnell took over. It meant that Afghan lost all 10 wickets for the addition of 34 runs.
Chasing a paltry 82 runs to win the contest, Atlanta Param Veers rushed to victory with US player Steven Taylor getting 51 not out off 24 balls with three sixes and five fours. The victory came in just 7.4 overs at a run rate of 11.35.
With the win, Atlanta finishes on top of Group B after their preliminary round play with two wins and four points and will play the runners-up from Group A, the US All Stars in one of the semi-finals on Saturday. They ended with the same number of points as 22 Yards and Brampton Pacers but Atlanta had a net run rate of 1.66, compared to 0.97 by 22 Yards and -0.15 by the Pacers.
The other semi-finals of Saturday will see Group A winners Somerset Cavaliers playing against Group B runners-up 22 Yards.
SCORES: Afghan Zwanan 81 all out (16.2) (Cody Shetty 24, Sher Afal 23, Wayne Parnell 7/12, Kissondath Magram 2/13) Atlanta Param Veers 87/2 (7.4) (Steven Taylor 51no) – Atlanta won by 8 wkts.
