Afghanistan U-19 win tri-nation series

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan U-19 have clinched the tri-nation One-Day International (ODI) series title, beating Pakistan U-19 by 20 runs at the ICC Academy Ground.

Afghan skipper Mahboob Taskin won the toss and decided to bat first, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said in a statement.

Afghanistan were off to a shocking start as they lost six wickets for just 91 runs. However, Barkat Ibrahimzai and Nazifullah Amiri built a 130-run partnership to help their side set a 251 runs target for the opposition.

Ibrahimzai slammed 79 runs off 90 deliveries, including six boundaries and three sixes, in his innings, while Amiri chipped in with 56.

For Pakistan, right-arm fast bowlers Ali Raza and Subhan bagged three wickets apiece, while Faham-ul-Haq and Umar Zaib snapped a wicket each.

Chasing 251 to win, Pakistan’s opening pair of Shahzaib Khan and Usman Khan could not provide a solid start. Usman got out for eight with 11 runs on the board. They were bundled out for 229 runs.

Nasratullah Nuristani and Naseer Khan Marofkhel grabbed two wickets each, while Uzairullah Niazi, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Abdul Aziz Khan and Khatir Stanikzai chipped in with one scalp each.

kk/mud