GHOST: Hasan Ishaqil’s superb century and a combined bowling effort helped Afghanistan XI to a crushing 199-run defeat against Uzbekistan in the one-off T20I at the Rahmat Wali Masroor Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Batting first on home soil, Afghanistan XI dominated Uzbekistan’s bowling attack and amassed a mammoth total of 323/7 in 20 overs, with Izaqil’s sensational century.
The right-handed opener scored a 34-ball 120 with 16 sixes and 4 fours in Afghanistan XI’s batting, which earned him the man of the match award.
He scored a 32-ball 74 with 7 fours and 5 sixes to share a 181-run opening partnership with captain Imran Mir.
Apart from them, the middle-order trio of Faisal Shinozada (31), Noor ul Rahman (29) and Keramatullah (21) contributed significantly to the home team’s total at the back.
For Uzbekistan, Merajuddin and Amanullah took 2 wickets each while Zavohir Mustafov and Kudratov took one wicket each.
Chasing a tough target of 324 runs, Uzbekistan could amass 124/7 in 20 overs against a disciplined Afghanistan XI bowling attack despite Marajuddin’s heroic half-century.
The middle-order batsman top-scored with 62 off 46 balls with 12 fours, opener Rashid Khan and skipper Asadbek Musaev scored 19 each and top-order batsman Luqman Hussain (12) scored a double.
Wafatar Moment, Naseer Khan Maroobgil and Captain Mir took 2 wickets each and Faridoon Dawoodzai took a scalp for Afghanistan XI.