Pakistan-A overwhem Afghanistan in warm-up game

KABUL (Pajhwok): Pakistan-A  have trounced Afghanistan by 144 runs in their first warm-up match ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Hussain Talat, Muhammad Irfan and Mohsin Riaz hit half centuries to help Pakistan-A set a massive 314 target for Afghanistan.

Talat remained the top-scorer for the Shaheens with a well-crafted 70, closely followed by Mohsin and Irfan, who scored 61 and 57 respectively.

For Afghanistan, Farid Ahmad Malik grabbed three wickets, while Azmatullah Omarzai and Noor Ahmad claimed two scalps each.

In response, Afghanistan were bundled out for 170 in 38.4 overs. Skipper Shadab Khan was the standout bowler for Pakistan-A, picking up three wickets for 29 runs.

Afghanistan will take on New Zealand in their second warm-up match tomorrow (Sunday) at the National Bank Stadium in the port city of Karachi.

Afghanistan will kick off their Champions Trophy campaign against South Africa on February 21 in Karachi.

Their second group-stage match will be against England on February 26. Two days later, they will play their last group-stage, game against New Zealand.

kk/mud