by The Professor » Mon Jul 25, 2022 3:33 pm
I have been rather distracted from this tournament by my exclusive coverage of the Sri Lankan Major Clubs Limited Overs Tournament, but as that draws to a finale this weekend, we can turn our attention back to Afghanistan.
Boost are clearly the team to beat. Not only are they undefeated in their first four games but they are also doing it with ball and bat. Their second game saw them strangle Amo to 96-9 from their 20 overs whilst in their third game they put 173 against Hindukush before getting them out for 121. Boost also boast the highest run scorer and most prolific wicket taker in the forms of Hashmatullah Shahidi ( 194 @ 97, HS – 58*) and Zia-ur-Rehman (10w @6.30 Best figures of 3-9).
Away from the behemoth that is Boost, there have been some stand out individual performances from other clubs. Second place Speen Ghar boast the highest individual score of 83*, provided by Najbullah Zadran in their comprehensive win over new boys Pamir. As of yet there has only been one fivefer in the competition, courtesy of Amo who gilled his boots against Hindukush in a tight match that went down to the last ball. It is Amo’s solitary win in the tournament with only Pamir below them. =
"It has been said of the unseen army of the dead, on their everlasting march, that when they are passing a rural cricket ground the Englishman falls out of the ranks for a moment to look over the gate and smile."