Afghans off to Nepal for ACC T20 Elite Cup

KABUL national team on Sunday left for Nepal to participate in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) T20 Elite Cup that kicks off in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

Some participants, including Bahrain, Singapore and Malaysia, have already arrived in Kathmandu to participate in the tournament. Afghanistan and five other squads will reach Nepal’s capital today.

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) spokesman Farid Hotak told Pajhwok Afghan News the event would continue till April 3. Afghanistan, the UAE, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain are placed in Group B.

Group A includes Nepal, Malaysia, Hong Kong, the Maldives, Malaysia and Singapore. The finalists will find their way to the World T-20 Cricket Championship, scheduled to be held in the UAE in December.

Prior to the team’s departure, skipper Mohammad Nabi Issakhel said his boys had played enough practice matches and were well-prepared for the competition. All members of the side were physically fit, he added.

Coach Raees Ahmadzai said some new players had been afforded the opportunity to represent Afghanistan in the contest. A blend of newcomers and experienced players, the national squad would lift the trophy at stake, he hoped.

ACB chief Shahzada Massoud urged the cricketers to demonstrate high sportsman spirit and discipline in Nepal. He was confident Afghanistan, given its robust morale and elaborate preparations, would win the cup for a fourth time.

Led by Nabi, the team is comprised of Karim Sadiq, Shahpur Zadran, Nasim Barich, Najibullah Zadran, Fazal Niazi, Gulbadin Naib, Samiullah Shinwari, Shafiqullah Shafaq, Mohammad Nasim, Mohammad Sami Agha, Aftab Alam and Hamza Hotak.

mud

Visits: 2