A former Barnes cricketer has inspired Afghanistan to victory at the Twenty20 World Cup qualifying tournament in Dubai.

Ranked 130th in the world just 18 months ago, Mohammed Nabi was a key player as Afghanistan beat Scotland, Ireland and the United States to land the title.

He plundered 49 runs from 23 balls in one game and turned another with a spell of 3-17 from four overs.

It takes Afghanistan into April’s World Cup and creates the possibility of two former Barnes players meeting on the world stage. West Indies all-rounder Darren Sammy played for the club as a teenager in 2003 and 2004.

Former Barnes skipper Ed Craig said: “Everyone at Barnes is living Mohammed’s performances.

“He is a big bloke but hugely athletic with a wonderful eye and good technique. He plays orthodox shots with brutal power.

“He is a good man and always up for a laugh so we are delighted he helped his country win the tournament.

“We are proud to be a part of both Nabi and Sammy’s development.”

One of Nabi’s most memorable innings for Barnes saw him thrash 101 off 59 balls as Barnes chased down a mammoth 310 to beat North London.

“He would hit it miles,” added Craig.

“He stood still at the crease, using a heavy bat and, with enormous strength and flexibility, created astonishing bat speed.

“The blade would ‘whoosh’ through the air like a golf club.

“Once at Shepherd’s Bush, he landed a ball in a tennis court so far away that the tennis players refused to give the ball back, thinking someone closer must have lobbed it at them on purpose.

“They just didn’t believe someone could hit the ball that far.”

Afghanistan have been drawn against South Africa and India, while England line up against the hosts West Indies and Ireland.

* Barnes CC has had a healthy start to its pre-season preparations with new recruits and good attendance at net sessions at St. Paul’s School.

Its colts coaching initiative will move into overdrive from April at Lonsdale Road with regular Sunday sessions featuring qualified coaches.

The club runs four league teams on Saturday, a Sunday Friendly XI and Colts teams at u-10, u-12 and u-13 levels. Further details: Duncan.simpson@blueyonder.co.uk