Afghans crush Bhutan as Sherzad takes 3, Naib two wickets
08 October, 2012
KABUL: Afghanistan, eyeing a slot in the final, trounced Bhutan in the last group match of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Elite Trophy 2012 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday. Bhutan, electing to bat in the 50 overs match, were bundled out for 107 runs in the 38th over, Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) spokesman, Nusratullah Wafa, told Pajhwok Afghan News. Syed Ahmad Sherzad was the pick of Afghan bowlers, capturing three wickets, with Gulbadin Naib claiming two scalps. Shahpoor Zadran, Nawroz Mangal and Javed Ahmadi bagged one wicket apiece. Chasing a paltry target, Afghanistan won the match in the 13th over for the loss of only two wickets, Wafa said. For the winners, Mangal was the top scorer with 58, followed by Naib with 34. The participating teams have been divided into two groups. Afghanistan, Malaysia, Oman, Bhutan and the Maldives are in group A. Nepal, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are placed in group B. MCC training 24 coaches in Kabul A leading British club is training two dozen coaches in Kabul, as part of efforts to promote the fastest-growing game in the war-torn country, an official of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said on Sunday. A three-member team of the UK-based Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), including its president, Indian coach Amesh Patwal and Martin Aust, is currently training the coaches in the central capital, the board spokesman said. Nusratullah Wafa told Pajhwok Afghan News that the four-day Level One Coaching course was being conducted jointly by the ACB and the Afghan Youth Cricket Support Organisation (AYCSO). Rais Ahmadzai, AYCSO chief and former Afghan skipper, said the world-renowned club had promised continued support for promoting cricket in the country. "MCC President Phillip Hodson’s visit represents ample proof of cricket’s growth in Afghanistan." The Afghans had a good opportunity of benefitting from the experience of the resourceful club, which was founded in 1787, believed Ahmadzai, who said Hodson would visit the Kabul International Stadium and Cricket Academy. End.
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