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’s national cricket team defeated Ireland by three wickets on Monday in the third ODI of the five-match series in Belfast.
Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Ireland were bowled out for 206 runs in 46.3 overs, setting Afghanistan a target of 207 runs.
Rashid Khan and Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar claimed three wickets each for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s batters then produced a solid performance in the second innings, chasing down the target for the loss of seven wickets in 44.5 overs.
Afghanistan had also won the second match by 92 runs.
The fourth match between the two teams will be played on Wednesday, August 12, in Belfast, Ireland.
Fans can watch the fourth match live and exclusively in Afghanistan on Ariana Television.
Sorkh Poshan Khawafi are leading the Afghanistan Champions League U17 standings after week six, having collected 15 points from six matches.
According to the latest standings released by the Afghanistan Football Federation, Sorkh Poshan Khawafi have won five of their six matches and suffered one defeat. They have scored 22 goals and conceded just two, giving them a +20 goal difference.
Sarsabz Yashlar sit second with 14 points, following four wins and two draws, while Aino Mina are third, also on 14 points but with an inferior goal difference.
Arman FC are fourth with 12 points, followed by Khurasan Faryab with 10 points and Toofan Herat with eight.
In the lower half of the table, Ettifaq Khanzadah have six points, Abu Muslim FC have five, while Jawanan Perozi and Istiqlal Kabul are yet to earn a point after six matches.
Istiqlal Kabul have conceded 35 goals, the most in the competition so far, while Sorkh Poshan Khawafi have the tournament’s strongest attack with 22 goals.
The Afghanistan Champions League U17 is being contested by 10 teams and is being held at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium in Kabul.
Abasin Defenders produced a dominant bowling performance to defeat Kabul Zalmi in the second match of the Kabul Premier League on Saturday, August 8, at the Ayoubi Cricket Ground in Kabul.
Kabul Zalmi won the toss and elected to bat first, but their innings quickly unravelled as Abasin Defenders’ bowlers struck regularly.
Kabul Zalmi were bowled out for 63 in 7.2 overs, leaving Abasin Defenders with a modest target to chase.
Sediqullah Pacha was the standout performer for Abasin Defenders, claiming the Player of the Match award for his match-winning bowling performance.
Abasin Defenders chased down the target comfortably to secure a convincing victory and get their Kabul Premier League campaign off to a winning start.
The result followed the opening match of the tournament earlier on Saturday, when Pamir Stars defeated Shamshad Eagles by 116 runs.
The Kabul Premier League features six teams — Pamir Stars, Shamshad Eagles, Kabul Zalmi, Speenghar Warriors, Abasin Defenders and Band-e-Amir — competing in the 2026 tournament.
All matches are being broadcast live and exclusively on Ariana Television, allowing cricket fans across Afghanistan to follow the competition.
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