Afghanistan stay unbeaten in U-19 Premier League

KABUL beat Saudi Arabia by eight wickets to register their fourth victory in a row in the Under-19 ACC Premier League underway in Malaysia.

The Saudi team opted to bat first after winning the toss and set Afghanistan 158 runs target for the loss of all wickets after playing 44 overs.

Afghanistan Cricket Board spokesman Farid Hotak told Pajhwok Afghan News Muslim Musa clinched four wickets, Zia Rahman three and Rashid sent two Saudi batsmen back to the pavilion.

Hotak said the Afghanistan under-19 side easily chased the target in the 17th over, with Hazratullah Zazi falling just two runs short of his century. Naveed Obaid also played well with the bat and contributed 37 runs.

It was Afghanistan’s fourth victory in the tournament. Earlier the Afghans outclassed Kuwait, Nepal and the UAE.

Afghanistan will play their last match against the hosts Malaysia on Thursday.

ACB chairman Nasimullah Danish, CEO Shafiqullah Stanikzai and other officials of the board congratulated the Afghan nation over their under-19 crew’s unbeaten run in the ACC Premier.

Danish said the unbeaten run showed there was no dearth of talent in Afghanistan and cricket had a bright future in the war-torn country.

Stanikzai hoped the under-19 side would once again emerge champions and bring joys home.

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