Shahidi helps Afghans lift U-19 Elite Cup

KABUL clinched the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Under-19 Elite Cup title for a second time in a row, thrashing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the final on Saturday.

The result was largely academic for the Afghans, who trounced hosts Malaysia in the first semifinal of the 10-nation tournament on Friday to qualifying for next year’s U-19 World Cup.

Afghanistan Cricket Board spokesman Farid Hotak told Pajhwok Afghan News the UAE were skittled out for a paltry 58 after they won the toss and elected to bat first.  

Ziaur Rahman was the pick of the bowlers, bagging four wickets. Hashmatullah Shahidi took three, while Zahir Shahzad and Syed Sherzad claimed one each.

The national side reached the target in the12th over without losing any wicket, according to Hotak, who said Shahidi smashed a magnificent 50 to win the Man of the Match award.

The ICC U-19 World Cup was initially staged as a one-off event in Australia in 1988, but he tournament was restored a decade later in 1998. It has since been held once every two years.

mm/mud

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