Sport
Pakistan beat Afghanistan by 181 runs in U19 World Cup opener
Pakistan defeated Afghanistan by 181 runs in their first match of the Under-19 World Cup in South Africa on Saturday.
Pakistan skipper Saad Baig won the toss and opted to bat first in East London. The Pakistan openers were patient against the new-ball pairing of Bashir Ahmad and Allah Mohammad Ghanzafar. However, the early good work was undone by Khalil Ahmed. The pacer picked two wickets in his first two overs, including Shamyl Hossain (17) and Azan Awais (5). Captain Baig counter-attacked at number four, particularly taking on the Afghanistan spinners, hitting four sixes during his stay, icc-cricket.com reported.
He was eventually cleaned up by a beauty from Ghanzafar in the 28th over. Ahmed Hussain fell soon after, as Pakistan’s scoring rate was stifled over the next few overs. However, around the 35th over mark, Shahzaib Khan and Muhammad Riazullah played a number of attacking shots to get Pakistan back in the game. They finished the second Powerplay with a four and began the last stretch with a flurry of big strokes. By the time Riazullah fell, the duo had added 84 at run-a-ball.
Shahzaib’s aggression bore results for the Boys in Green. He reached his hundred in the 48th over, while Pakistan added 84 runs in the last 10.
Pakistan pacers were right on mark with the new ball. Wafiullah Tarakhil (0) and Jamshid Zadran (1) fell to Amir Hassan and Ubaid Shah respectively, even as Afghanistan stood at 2/2. Hassan Eisakhil steadied Afghanistan along with Sohail Khan Zurmati. The duo hit six boundaries in the first Powerplay, to keep Afghanistan’s run rate closer to four. Ubaid struck once more in the 10th over, to leave Pakistan in a strong position.
Disciplined bowling from the Pakistan pacers ensured that wickets fell at regular intervals. Ahmad Hassan cleaned up Zurmati with a slower one, the giant Mohammad Zeeshan caught a near-perfect length and brought about the downfall of the Afghanistan lower-order by sticking to that area. Afghanistan were skittled out for merely 103.
Sorkh Poshan Khafi maintained their position at the top of the Afghanistan Champions League Season 6 standings on Tuesday after defeating defending champions Abu Muslim Farah 2–0 in Kabul.
The victory means Sorkh Poshan Khafi have now won all four of their matches, taking their tally to 12 points and keeping them at the top of the points table.
The match was the second Afghanistan Champions League fixture played in Kabul on Tuesday and proved to be a physical contest, with five yellow cards shown as both sides battled for control.
Sorkh Poshan Khafi eventually broke through to take the lead and added a second goal to secure a convincing 2–0 victory and another clean sheet.
Yar Mohammad Zakarkhil was named Man of the Match for Sorkh Poshan Khafi following his performance.
For Abu Muslim Farah, the result is a setback for the defending champions, who were looking to build momentum in their title defence. The Farah-based side now face the challenge of recovering points as the league campaign continues.
Sorkh Poshan Khafi, meanwhile, remain unbeaten and have maximum points from their opening four matches, putting them firmly at the top of the standings at this stage of the competition.
The sixth season of the Afghanistan Champions League Roshan features 10 clubs and runs until November 21.
Ariana Television Network (ATN) is broadcasting all Afghanistan Champions League matches live and exclusively in Afghanistan. Fans can follow ATN’s social media platforms for match schedules, results and tournament updates.
Omar Zawak Herat and Arman FC faced each other in the 18th match of the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan on Tuesday at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium in Kabul. The high-scoring and entertaining match ended 4–2 in favor of Omar Zawak Herat.
The two teams started the match with a close contest, with no goals scored during the opening eight minutes. In the ninth minute, Omar Zawak captain Samir Samandari opened the scoring with a spectacular long-range strike.
Omar Zawak continued to press ahead in the second half, and in the 78th minute, Shadab Malekzadah doubled his side’s lead after receiving a well-delivered pass from a teammate.
Arman FC responded by increasing the pressure on their opponents and pulled a goal back in the 84th minute through a free kick. Omar Ceela scored for Arman FC.
The excitement increased in the closing stages, as Esmatullah Hadafmand scored Arman FC’s second goal in stoppage time, reducing the deficit to one goal.
However, Omar Zawak restored their advantage soon after. Captain Samir Samandari scored his second goal of the match in stoppage time, before Shadab Malekzadah added another to complete the 4–2 victory for Omar Zawak Herat.
Arman FC will face Aino Mina in their next match on September 25, while Omar Zawak Herat will take on Toofan Herat on September 26.
Matches from the sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League are being broadcast live on Ariana Television.
Khyber Sultani, an Afghan national and international boxing referee, has traveled to China to officiate at the 9th International Boxing Festival.
According to Afghanistan’s General Directorate of Physical Education and Sports, Soltani was sent to Xinjiang by the International Boxing Federation in coordination with the country’s Olympic and sports authorities.
The tournament, hosted in China, will run from September 21 to September 30.
Ahead of the competition, Afghanistan’s national boxing team, which had already arrived in China, completed a two-day training camp to prepare for the event.
The Afghan delegation consists of seven athletes, two coaches and one team official, who will represent Afghanistan at the international tournament.
Sultani’s appointment adds an Afghan official to the international officiating team for the competition.
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