Sport
Afghanistan A makes history; claims Emerging Teams Asia Cup Title 2024
Following a remarkable semi-final win against India A, Afghanistan’s bowlers once again played a crucial role in securing the title
Afghanistan A made history on Sunday night in Oman when the team bagged their maiden Emerging Teams Asia Cup Title after beating Sri Lanka A by 7 wickets.
The final held at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Muscat not only marked a significant achievement for Afghanistan A but also highlighted their bowling prowess throughout the tournament.
Following a remarkable semi-final win against India A, Afghanistan’s bowlers once again played a crucial role in securing the title.
Afghanistan A’s bowling attack established dominance from the outset of the final match.
Sri Lanka A faced immense pressure and struggled to form stable partnerships as they attempted to build their innings.
Sahan Arachchige emerged as the lone warrior for Sri Lanka, scoring an unbeaten 64 runs off 47 balls.
However, his efforts were not enough to propel his team to a competitive total, as Afghanistan’s bowlers stifled their scoring opportunities effectively.
Bilal Sami delivered an outstanding performance, taking 3 wickets for just 22 runs, while Allah Ghazanfar maintained an impressive economy rate with figures of 2 for 14.
The pitch at Al Amerat proved challenging for both teams, contributing to the low scores.
Sri Lanka A managed to post only 133 runs, a total that would require exceptional bowling to defend.
Afghanistan A’s innings began with an unexpected twist when opener Zubaid Akbari was dismissed for a golden duck on the very first ball.
This early setback could have derailed their chase; however, Sediqullah Atal showcased remarkable composure at the crease. His steady knock of 55 runs off 55 balls provided much-needed stability and allowed Afghanistan to recover from the initial shock.
Despite losing Akbari early, Atal’s resilience and tactical approach helped Afghanistan navigate through difficult phases of their innings.
The Sri Lankan bowlers struggled to capitalize on their early success, managing only three dismissals throughout Afghanistan’s innings.
As Afghanistan approached the target, Mohammad Ishfaq stepped up to guide his team home with a calm finish.
His controlled batting ensured that Afghanistan reached their target with 11 balls to spare, sealing a seven-wicket victory.
The combination of Atal’s anchoring innings and Ishfaq’s composed finish underscored the depth and talent within Afghanistan’s batting lineup.
Significance of the victory
Cricket Times reports that this triumph is monumental for Afghanistan A as it underscores the burgeoning talent within their ranks.
The team’s balanced approach – marked by exceptional bowling and resilient batting – demonstrates significant growth on the international stage.
The performances of players like Sami and Ghazanfar were pivotal not just in this match but throughout the tournament, showcasing their potential to impact senior cricket in the future.
Sport
Afghanistan Champions League: Abu Muslim Farah beat Sarsabz Yashlar 3-1
Abu Muslim Farah began the second half of the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan with a 3-1 victory over Sarsabz Yashlar at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium on Friday.
Samiullah Naderi opened the scoring for Abu Muslim Farah in the second minute, but Sayed Amir equalized for Sarsabz Yashlar in the seventh minute to make it 1-1 at half-time.
Hamed Amiri restored Abu Muslim Farah’s lead in the 71st minute before scoring again in the 80th minute to secure a 3-1 victory for his team.
Abu Muslim Farah committed 13 fouls and received two yellow cards, while Sarsabz Yashlar committed 14 fouls and received two yellow cards and one red card.
Hamed Amiri was also named the player of the match.
Abu Muslim Farah will face Istiqlal Kabul on October 22, while Sarsabz Yashlar will take on Omar Zawak on October 20.
The second half of the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan is being broadcast live on Ariana Television.
Sport
Afghan futsal coach: Brazil tournament is first step towards new goals and World Cup
Afghanistan, Japan, Peru, Brazil, Indonesia and Cabo Verde are competing in the event.
Afghanistan national futsal team head coach Dejan Dedovic says his players will do their best to achieve positive results and present a strong image of Afghanistan at the six-nation Futsal Nations Cup in Brazil.
Speaking about the team’s preparations for the tournament, Dedovic expressed hope for good results and future achievements.
“We will try to do our best, achieve good resultsm” Dedovic said.
He added that the tournament marks the first step towards the team’s new achievements and goals on the road to the Futsal World Cup.
The six-nation tournament is being held from October 14 to 18 in São José dos Pinhais, in Brazil’s Paraná state.
Afghanistan, Japan, Peru, Brazil, Indonesia and Cabo Verde are competing in the event.
Afghanistan have been drawn in Group B alongside Japan and Peru. The Afghan side will face Japan on Thursday, October 15, before taking on Peru on Friday, October 16.
Sport
Afghanistan hold Bangladesh to dramatic draw in Abu Dhabi Test
Afghanistan produced a remarkable rearguard effort to secure a draw against Bangladesh in their one-off Test in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, surviving 142 overs in their second innings to deny their opponents victory after five days of intense competition.
Sediqullah Atal led Afghanistan’s resistance with a marathon 111 off 332 balls, while captain Rahmat Shah praised his team’s determination and described the hard-fought result as feeling like a victory.
Chasing a target of 479, Afghanistan finished their second innings with seven wickets down, frustrating Bangladesh’s bowlers through a disciplined batting display that showcased patience and resilience.
Ikram Alikhil contributed 33, while Rahmat scored 51 in the second innings after making a century in Afghanistan’s first innings. Rahmat’s 105 made him the first Afghan batter to score a Test century on his debut as captain.
Bangladesh had appeared firmly in control after declaring their second innings at 372-7, with Litton Das scoring 102 off 117 balls, Najmul Hossain Shanto making 82 and Mushfiqur Rahim contributing 81. Mehidy Hasan Miraz remained unbeaten on 52.
Litton was named Player of the Match after scoring 53 in the first innings and a century in the second. He also recorded nine dismissals behind the stumps, becoming the first wicketkeeper to achieve nine dismissals alongside a half-century and a century in the same Test.
Bangladesh’s Hasan Mahmud made history by becoming the first Bangladeshi bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket. He also claimed five wickets for 55 runs, while Ebadot Hossain took four wickets in Afghanistan’s first innings.
Afghanistan had earlier been bowled out for 240 in reply to Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 346. Rahmat and Abdul Malik, who scored 62, helped stabilise the innings after Bangladesh made a strong start with the bat.
Bangladesh captain Shanto acknowledged Afghanistan’s performance, saying his team was disappointed not to win but would take valuable lessons from the match. He also praised Litton’s return to form and the contribution of Bangladesh’s pace bowlers.
Rahmat, meanwhile, credited his players for sticking to their plans and understanding when to attack and when to defend. He singled out Atal for his temperament and maturity during the crucial final-day stand.
The focus now shifts to the ODI Tri-Nation Series in the United Arab Emirates, featuring Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. Bangladesh are scheduled to open the series against Zimbabwe on Saturday, October 17, at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
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