Afghanistan A beat star-studded Pakistan A at event for Afghan president Ashraf Ghani

Afghanistan A beat star-studded Pakistan A

Islamabad: Nov 15, 2014

Afghanistan’s cricketers on Saturday routed their cross-border rivals from Pakistan in a match played in Islamabad to mark the visit of newly-elected Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. The Afghanistan A team posted 154 in the 15-over match while playing first at the Shalimar Cricket Ground in the capital Islamabad.

The Pakistan A team in reply could only manage 100, suffering humiliation as Afghans are still considered minnows in international cricket while the Pakistan team had some key players like Umar Gul, Nasir Jamshed, Mohammad Irfan and Sohaib Maqsood who all play at the international level.

Afghan batsman Najeebullah Zadran smashed 60 from 32 balls with four sixes and four fours. Ghani and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif along with key cricket officials and cabinet ministers were among the spectators.