Afghanistan A taste 7-wicket loss in Tri-Series match

KABUL A tasted a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of India A in their Tri-Series match in Pretoria, South Africa, a board official said on Saturday.

The opposition won the toss in Friday’s match and elected to field first, Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) spokesman Farid Hotak told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Afghanistan suffered an early jolt when Siddarth Kaul dismissed Osman Ghani for a duck. The removal of Javed Ahmadi for 25 by Axar, who struck twice, left Afghanistan A reeling at 45 for three in the 16th over.

Rahmat Shah (35) returned to the pavilion in the 29th over. The entire team was bowled out for 149 in the 41st over, with Shankar and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal giving the batting side a tough time. Sharafuddin Ashraf hit a 27-ball 39, including four boundaries and two sixes.

As India A launched the chase, Shreyas Iyer smashed a breezy 20 while Sanju Samson made 18. Nair, who scored a superb half-century, and Manish Pandey put together 67 runs to see their team dry and home.

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