The Hindukush Strikers have put on a terrific all-round performance to beat the Maiwand Champions by 237 runs and end their under-par campaign at the Mhawala Presents Ahmad Shah Abdali First Class Tournament 2025, powered by SuperCola, in a winning way.
Earlier on Day 1, the Hindukush Strikers won the toss and opted to
bat first, but were not able to put up a good batting show and only managed to
score 127 runs in their first inning.
Noor Ul Rahman (34*), Hassan Eisakhil (33), Mohammad Asif (20),
and Zafar Khan Alozai (20) were the only batters getting into the double
figures. From the bowling team, Bashir Ahmad (6/49) stole the show with a
terrific fast-bowling display, whereas Abdullah Ahmadzai (3/20) and Yamin
Ahmadzai (1/48) shared the rest of the four wickets among them.
Batting wasn’t easy for the Maiwand Champions either, who went on
to score 236 runs in their first batting inning and take a 107-run lead.
Mohammad Ishaq (40), Zahir Khan (39), Yamin Ahmadzai (36), Shawkat Zaman (28),
and Haroon Khan (26) chipped in with runs, but none of them managed to convert
their starts to big scores.
From the Strikers’ end, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi (3/64) and
Mohibullah Zurmati (3/62) picked up three wickets each, whereas Amanullah
Kunari (2/52) and Aqil Khan (2/12) returned with two wickets each.
The Hindukush Strikers, having already conceded a 107-run lead in
the first inning, completely turned the game on its head by putting on an
incredible batting effort in their second inning. Shams Ur Rahman scored an
unbeaten 171* runs, while Noor Ul Rahman (118) scored his second century of the
event as they helped their side to put up 442/7 runs before declaring their
inning with a 333-run lead.
Yamin Ahmadzai (5/98) picked up a terrific five-wicket haul, and
Abdullah Ahmadzai (2/94) picked up two wickets for the Maiwand Champions.
The Hindukush Strikers backed up their fabulous batting effort
with an even better bowling performance as they bundled the opposition out for
only 96 runs on day 4 to clinch a terrific 237-run victory, which was their
first in the event. Afsar Khan Zazai, who had scored a magnificent
double-hundred, was awarded the Player of the Match.
The Maiwand Champions, despite losing the game, qualified for the
final of the event after securing second spot in the table by putting in better
performances in their previous games.
Pamir Legends’ run in the event has come to an end, whereas the Mahipar Stars qualified for the final, where they will face the Maiwand Champions, starting this Wednesday, June 18, at the Ghazi Amanullah Khan Cricket Ground in Nangarhar Province.