Afghanistan score 2nd win in ACC Premier League

KABUL registered their second consecutive win by defeating the United Arab Emirates in an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Premier League match in Malaysia on Friday, a board official said.

A day earlier, Afghanistan trounced Hong Kong by six wickets in the opener. Asked to bat first, the opposition set the national side a target of 217 runs in 49.3 overs. Usman Ghani smashed 70 runs to see the national side romping home.

Put in to bat first in the 50-overs encounter, Afghanistan posted a mammoth total of 302 runs. Samiullah Shinwari contributed an unbeaten 82 from 68 balls, smashing nine fours and two sixes.

Mohammad Nabi chipped in with 77 runs from 57 balls, Usman Ghani 55 and Noor Ali Zadran 53, Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) spokesman Farid Hotak told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Defending what appeared a formidable total, Rahmat Shah captured five wickets while Shahpur Zadran, Dawlat Zadran, Mirwais Ashraf, Mohammad Nabi and Amir Hamza took one wicket apiece.

Hotak said the UAE were restricted to 232 runs from 44.3 overs. Amjad Ali top-scored for the opposition with 98 runs from 107 balls. His knock, including 11 boundaries and a six, came to an end when Rahmat Shah trapped him bang in front of wickets.

ACB Chief Executive Officer Dr. Noor Mohammad Murad, meanwhile, greeted the nation on the national team’s emphatic 70-run triumph. He praised the high level of commitment and professionalism demonstrated by the squad.

Afghanistan is among the six Asian countries taking part in the ACC Premier League, scheduled for May 1-7. The national squad arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, hosts Malaysia, Hong Kong and Oman are participating in the first edition of the tournament, involving 15 encounters.

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