6 Best ODI matches of the year 2015

3. Afghanistan v Scotland – ICC World Cup (Group Stages):

The fight might have been between the associates, but the match was an epic one. Scotland were playing in the World Cup after a significant break while it was Afghanistan’s maiden World Cup appearance. Chasing 211 set by Scotland, Afghanistan were reduced to 97 for 7, with Richie Berrington, who finished with figures of 4/40, doing most of the damage. Samiullah Shenwari then rose to the big stage and rallied Dawlat Zadran and Hassan around him to get close to the target.

Shenwari fell for 96, just short of a hundred, having batted out 147 balls. But Hassan and Shapoor ensured that history was created with just three balls remaining. Earlier in the day, Shapoor Zadran (4/38) and Dawlat (3/29) had bowled Scotland out for 210 in 50 overs, and the game got so close because every player was willing to fight it out till the end. The sights of Afghanistan players running on the field, having registered their maiden World Cup win was an absolute delight to watch.