Afghans seal 9-wicket win over Canada

KABUL opened the defence of their Intercontinental Cup title on a triumphant note, trouncing Canada in King City, the national team manager said on Saturday.

Despite losing the entire second day to rain, the holders humbled their opponents by nine wickets late on Friday, Shafiqullah Stanikzai told Pajhwok Afghan News over the telephone.

Put in to bat first in the four-day encounter, the defending champions piled up 281 in their first innings — thanks to a gutsy knock of 70 by Samiullah Shinwari and 56 by Shahzad Mohammadi.

On the final day, according to the manager, the hosts resumed their innings at the overnight score of 176 for seven. They were bundled out for 231, with Harvir Baidwan (50) offering some resistance.

His 52-run stand for the eighth wicket with Khurram Chohan delayed the inevitable, but Afghanistan’s front-line bowlers Hamid Hassan and Dawlat Zadran did not allow Canada to recover.

Set a target of 79, Afghanistan sealed a convincing victory. Opener Karim Sadiq stayed unbeaten on 37 off as many balls.

Hassan was named Man of the Match for his match haul of 10-85. Afghanistan also bagged 20 points for the outright victory.

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