Afghanistan trounce Bahrain for 2nd win

KABUL trounced Bahrain by 72 runs to chalk up their second consecutive win in Asian Cricket Council (ACC) T20 Cup match at the Lalitpur ground in Kathmandu on Thursday, an official said.

Put in to bat first, national squad scored 157 for the loss of five wickets in the stipulated overs, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) spokesman, Farid Hotak, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Gulbadin Naib smashed a swashbuckling 46 including a towering six and four boundaries and Najibullah Zadran scored a quick-fire 45 not out to guide their side to a comfortable position.

While chasing the target, Bahrain were skittled out for 85 in 15.5 overs — thanks to fiery bowling spell by Naib, who dismissed four key opposition batsmen. Hamza Hotak was also too hot to handle, capturing three wickets.

In recognition of his outstanding all-round performance, Naib was given the Man of the Match award in Afghanistan’s second encounter in the 10-nation event that will continue till April 3.

On Tuesday, Afghanistan opened their campaign on a triumphant note, beating Oman in the first duel. Karim Sadiq top-scored 46 and Mohammad Nabi Issakhel hit 32.

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.

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.

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