Najibullah guides Afghanistan A to 54-run win

Pakistan A fail to deliver in one-off match at Islamabad

KARACHI: A blistering half-century from Najibullah Zadran guided Afghanistan A to a 54-run win over a star-studded Pakistan A side, which comprised of nine international players, at the Shalimar Ground in Islamabad on Saturday.

Batting first in the one-off match consisting of 15 overs, Afghanistan got off to a flying start courtesy of a 36-run opening stand between Muhammad Shahzad, who made 17, and Najeeb Tarakai, who scored a 13-ball 18 with four boundaries.

However, both the openers were dismissed in quick succession as lanky pacer Muhammad Irfan claimed Tarkai’s wicket and Shahzad was sent back by Raza Hasan to put the tourists at 36-2.

Hashmatullah Zaidi (11) was then run-out by Saad Nasim and it looked as if Pakistan were clawing their way back into the match, with Afghanistan struggling at 47-3.

However, Najibullah caught the Pakistan bowlers by surprise, slamming both pacers and spinners with powerful hits, which enabled Afghanistan to 154-4 in their allotted 15 overs. Najibullah remained unbeaten on 60 which came off just 32 balls studded with four sixes and as many boundaries, while Samiullah Shinwari played a 27-run cameo laced with three sixes and a boundary.

In reply, Pakistan failed to deliver after losing opener Nasir Jamshed on the first ball and closed their innings with 100-9 on the board.

Babar Azam top-scored with 30 and hit six boundaries, while Anwar Ali remained unbeaten on 17.

Nabi, Gulbain Naib, Aftab Alam took two wickets apiece while Fareed Ahmed and Nasim Baras claimed a scalp each.

Congratulations to our Cricket team. Excellent performance. Well-deserved win!

— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) November 15, 2014

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