Kabul: September 7, 2025: The Mis-e-Ainak Regional Team, well-led by Afsar Khan Zazai, completed its fourth Regional List A title by beating the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led Band-e-Amir Region by 5 wickets in the Grand Finale of the XBull Regional List A Tournament 2025, powered by Etisalat.
The event began on August 20 in Khost province, where five regional
teams competed in a round-robin format, followed by a final between the top two
teams, which was held yesterday at the Rahmat Wali Masroor Cricket Ground in
Khost province.
Earlier in the morning, Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and decided
that the Band-e-Amir Region would bat first in the final. After opting to bat
first, the Band-e-Amir Region managed to post 314/9 runs on the board with
major contributions coming in from Noor Ul Rahman (57), Ijaz Ahmadzai (52),
Hashmatullah Shahidi (51), Mohammad Asif (42), Farmanullah Safi (41*), and
Shams Ur Rahman (26). Dawlat Zadran (2/40) and Mohammad Younus (2/56) picked up
two wickets each, whereas Abdullah Tarakhil (1/54) and Zahir Khan (1/55) picked
up one wicket each.
The Mis-e-Ainak Region then put on an incredible batting performance
and, banking on half-centuries from Shahidullah Kamal (77*), Naveed Obaid (64),
and the skipper Afsar Zazai (57), alongside some important cameos from Abdullah
Tarakhil (36*), Hassan Eisakhil (27), and Rahmanullah Zadran (24), managed to
chase down the target successfully and win the game by 5 wickets to clinch the
title of the 8th edition of the XBull Regional List A Tournament 2025, powered
by Etisalat.
Shahidullah Kamal (77 off 73 balls, 3x4s), who scored an incredible
unbeaten half-century in the 2nd inning, was awarded the player of the match.
Mis-e-Ainak Region’s young leg-break bowling all-rounder Mohammad Younus, who
scored 175 runs and picked up 6 wickets for his team during the event, was
awarded as the Emerging Player of the Tournament.
Zahir Khan, playing for the champion side, picked up 20 wickets at
15.25 and was recognized as the best bowler of the tournament. In addition,
Bost Region’s skipper and experienced top-order batter, Rahmat Shah, was
adjudged as the best batter of the tournament for scoring 424 runs at 70.66
runs in the event with 4 half-centuries and a century to his name.
Band-e-Amir Region’s talented right-arm medium-fast bowling all-rounder, Farmanullah Safi, scored 214 runs and picked 11 wickets in the event and was awarded as the most valuable player of the tournament.
The XBull Regional List A Tournament 2025, powered by Etisalat was one
of the major domestic events of the domestic calendar 2025, which will mark the
end of the domestic season, which had two multi-day events, including a
First-Class Tournament; three 50-over events, including this List A event; and
two T20 events, including the 10th edition of the Shpageeza Cricket League and
a regional T20 event for people with disabilities.