Sadiq stars in Afghanistan’s win over Bhutan

KABUL scored an emphatic 180-run win over Bhutan in their Asian Cricket Council Twenty-20 Cup match in Nepal, officials said on Tuesday.

Bhutan won the toss and invited Afghanistan to bat in the 20 overs game on the fifth day of the cup being eyed by nine nations, national team manager, Shafiq Stanikzai, told Pajhwok Afghan News over the telephone from Kathmandu.

The side managed to set a 226 runs target for the Bhutanese in the stipulated overs with four wickets in hand. Karim Sadiq was the leading scorer with 72 runs, followed by Nawroz Mangal with 37. Mohammad Nabi and Asghar Stanikzai contributed 37 and 29 runs respectively.

Bhutan were bundled out in the 18th over for just 45. Zamir Khan, Karim Sadiq and Samiullah sent two batsmen each back to the pavilion, while Shabir Noori and Mohammad Nabi took a wicket apiece. Sadiq adjudged the Man of the Match.

Afghanistan pulled off victories against Oman and Malaysia in their previous Group-A matches. Afghanistan will take on the Maldives in the next tie on Saturday.

Group-A consists of Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Oman, Kuwait and the Maldives, while Group-B features the fancied Nepal side along with Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Bhutan and Saudi Arabia.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board says the top two teams from the tournament will qualify for the International Cricket Council World Twenty20 Cup to be held in 2012.

ma/mud

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