Sport
Omarzai’s fireworks steers Jaffna Kings to thrilling win in LPL 2024
Omarzai came into the crease at the fall of the fifth wicket, with Jaffna Kings needing 46 runs to win in 21 balls, as he guided the side to achieve it with a quick-fire 13-ball knock of 35.
Azmatullah Omarzai’s fireworks paved the way as Tim Seifert’s unbeaten ton for Galle Marvels was in vain for Jaffna Kings to pull off a thrilling five-wicket win with two balls remaining over unbeaten Galle Marvels in the sixth match of the fifth Lanka Premier League tournament played under floodlights at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium on Friday.
Omarzai came into the crease at the fall of the fifth wicket, with Jaffna Kings needing 46 runs to win in 21 balls, as he guided the side to achieve it with a quick-fire 13-ball knock of 35, which had four boundaries and two sixes to help his side inflict the first defeat of the unbeaten Galle Marvels side, Sri Lankan newspaper Daily Mirror reported.
Jaffna Kings, in pursuit of 188 runs, underwent some anxious moments, though they were moving on briskly with the run rate while racing to 50 in 29, 100 in 68 balls, and 150 in 104 balls, guided by Rilee Rossouw, who held onto sharing brief partnerships along the way.
Rossouw’s dismissal, having made 67 in 42 balls with eight boundaries and three sixes, left Jaffna Kings with the daunting task of making 46 runs in 21, which Omarzai and skipper Charith Asalanka together saw them through with Omarzai playing the anchor role.
Earlier in the day, Galle Marvels, invited to take first lease of the wicket, made steady progress as right-hand batsman Seifert came to the rescue as he was associated in three fruitful partnerships. Siefert, along with Bhanuka Rajapakse, put up the side’s 50 runs on the board, and at the halfway stage of the innings, they were on 75 for 2.
The pair went on to post their 50-run stand in 38 balls for the third wicket, which followed with the 100 runs being hosted, which came off 74 balls, before the pair were separated nine runs later with the dismissal of Rajapakse, who made 28, having added 69 runs in 51 balls for the third wicket.
Seifert and Sahan Arachchige took control of the innings from there on and posted the 150 runs of the side, and one run later Arachchige fell victim, having added 37 runs for the fourth wicket.
Janith Liyanage joining Seifert further frustrated the Jaffna Kings bowlers, and the pair added 32 runs for the fifth wicket in only 17 balls before Liyanage ran himself out. Seifert raced to his ton in the last delivery of the innings with a boundary, making it in 63 balls, which had 12 boundaries and half a dozen sixes, which was his third T20 century, which helped Galle Marvels to end with a formidable score of 187/5, which proved to be in vain.
Afghanistan are set to face India in the Asian Games cricket quarter-finals after Saturday’s rain-hit match between Nepal and Japan confirmed the Pool A standings.
The quarter-final between India and Afghanistan is scheduled to take place on September 28 in Nisshin, Japan.
Nepal secured first place in the group after Japan’s chase was washed out. Nepal had scored 149 runs for four wickets in 15 overs after being sent in to bat, but persistent rain prevented Japan from starting its innings.
The result saw Nepal advance as Pool A winners, with Afghanistan joining them in the quarter-finals as the other qualifying team. Nepal will face Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals.
Japan have been eliminated from the tournament.
Sorkh Poshan Khafi secured a convincing 6-0 victory over Esteqlal Kabul today (Friday) in the 23rd match of the sixth season of the Afghanistan Champions League at the Football Federation Stadium in Kabul.
Reza Gholami opened the scoring for Sorkh Poshan Khafi in the fourth minute with a header before Sohrab Afghan doubled the lead in the 21st minute.
Afghan struck again four minutes into the second half to make it 3-0, while Yar Mohammad added the fourth goal in the 52nd minute.
Sorkh Poshan Khafi completed the rout with two further goals in the 68th and 70th minutes, securing a 6-0 win.
The sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League is being broadcast live on Ariana Television.
Sport
Afghanistan Champions League: Arman FC and Aino Mina play out goalless draw
Arman FC will return to action on September 28, when they face Sarsabz Yashlar. Aino Mina Kandahar will play their next match on September 29 against Toofan Herat.
Arman FC and Aino Mina Kandahar played out a goalless draw on Friday in the 22nd match of the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium in Kabul.
Both sides started the match with an attacking approach, creating several opportunities and making efforts to break the deadlock. However, neither team was able to convert their chances as the first half ended without a goal.
The attacking contest continued after the restart, with both Arman FC and Aino Mina looking for an opening goal. Arman FC continued to push forward in search of a breakthrough, while Aino Mina also created opportunities of their own.
Despite the efforts from both sides and several attempts to find the decisive goal, neither team managed to unlock the opposition defense. The match ultimately ended 0–0, with both teams taking a point from the encounter.
The match also saw Aino Mina commit 15 fouls and receive one yellow card. Arman FC committed eight fouls and finished the game without receiving either a yellow or a red card.
Arman FC will return to action on September 28, when they face Sarsabz Yashlar. Aino Mina Kandahar will play their next match on September 29 against Toofan Herat.
Matches in the sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League are broadcast live on Ariana Television.
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