KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan have triumphed over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the first 50-over practice match, securing a comprehensive 109 runs victory at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Afghanistan, batting first, put 214 runs on the scoreboard before being bowled out in the 48th over.
Facing an early setback with the loss of opener Riaz Hassan in the third over, Mohammad Ishaq and Rahmat Shah steadied the innings with a 30-run partnership.
However, wickets tumbled and Afghanistan slipped to 147/6 in the 30th over.
Bahir Shah’s 44 and a crucial partnership between Gulbadin Naib (42) and Sharafuddin Ashraf (24) guided Afghanistan past the 200-run mark.
The UAE batters struggled against Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling, managing only 105 runs. Dhruv Prashar fought a lone battle, scoring an unbeaten 38.
Yamin Ahmadzai led Afghanistan’s bowling attack with a five-wicket haul, while Fareed Ahmad and Bilal Sami captured two wickets each.
kk/mud
