Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka’s Bloomfield in friendly cricket tie

KABUL defeated Sri Lanka’s Bloomfield cricket team by 40 runs in a friendly encounter played in Colombo on Thursday, an Afghanistan cricket board official said.

In the stipulated 50 overs game, Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first, Afghanistan national cricket team manager, Shafique Stanikzai, told Pajhwok Afghan News from Sri Lanka over the telephone.

Mohammad Nabi Esakhel struck 85 runs, leading the side to a total of 283 runs. Asghar Salamkhel contributed 66 runs and Shahzad Mohammadi 61 runs for Afghan side.

The Bloomfield Cricket team could not chase the target and were bundled out for 243 runs, thanks to spinner Hamza Hotak, who sent five batsmen back to the pavilion.

Afghanistan national team is in Sri Lanka to play friendly matches with the hosts in lead up to Canada’s trip, where the 2011-13 ICC Intercontinental Cup is scheduled to begin in August.

The defending champions Afghanistan will take on Canada in the opening game for both teams in the Intercontinental Cup. The game will be played in Canada from August 2-5.

The teams will also play two ODIs and two Twenty20 internationals.

Though first-time participants, Afghanistan were surprise winners of the 2009-10 edition of the tournament, beating Scotland in the final after topping the points table.

Their finest hour during the league stages came when they chased down 474 against Canada for the loss of just four wickets. That match was emblematic of Canada’s season as they struggled to convert early advantages into wins and finished last in the table.

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