Afghanistan’s regular captain Asghar Stanikzai led his team to a superb 5 wicket win over UAE on Tuesday in their ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 in Zimbabwe. 

Stanikzai, who underwent emergency surgery to remove his appendix in February, on the eve of the tournament, returned Tuesday and replaced Afsar Zazai who has suffered a hamstring injury.

Stanikzai, one of Afghanistan’s most experienced players, was ruled out of action for around 10 days, subsequently missing Afghanistan’s first five games in the qualifiers.

But Tuesday saw the national team sail to victory over UAE despite a top order collapse early in the game. 

After batting first, the UAE set a mild target of just 177 runs for the Afghan side. 

Rashid Khan's five-wicket haul was backed up by a crucial partnership between Gulbadin Naib and Najibullah Zadran, both of whom hit half centuries. 

Naib played the anchor role perfectly, surviving the early chaos and hitting four fours and two sixes in his innings, as Zadran motored Afghanistan towards their target. 

The fact they reached it in 34.3 overs, which has boosted their net run rate, could yet have an impact on who qualifies for next year's tournament in England and Wales.

The national team now needs to defeat Ireland in the final Super Sixes match on Friday to secure their qualification.

Player of the Match award went to Naib who got 74 runs, which clearly powered his team to victory.