Afghanistan win ACC Premier League opener

KABUL trounced Hong Kong by six wickets in the opener of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Premier League in Malaysia on Thursday, a board official said.

Asked to bat first, the opposition set the national side a target of 217 runs in 49.3 overs, the Afghanistan Cricket Board spokesman said.

Farid Hotak told Pajhwok Afghan News Dawlat Zadran and Amir Hamza captured three wickets each while Mohammad Nabi claimed two scalps to restrict Hong Kong to 216 runs.

Chasing the target, Usman Ghani smashed 70 runs from 68 balls, including six fours and four sixes. Samiullah Shinwari also hit 43 runs from 46 balls.

Hashmatullah Shahidi remained unbeaten at 38 from 67 balls, hitting four boundaries. Mohammad Nabi scored an unbeaten 14 from 17 balls.

Afghanistan chased the given target in 43.1 overs by losing four wickets, with 41 balls to spare, in the match played at Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur.

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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