Afghanistan defeated Bahrain

Kathmandu,March 29 – Afghanistan replaced of the ACC Twenty20 Cup following their 72-run victory against Bahrain on Thursday.

 In the Group ‘B’ match at the Pulchowk Engineering College grounds, Afghanistan made 157-5 after put into bat first. Bahrain were bowled out for 85 runs in 15.5 overs in reply.

Gulbadin Naib top scored for Afghanistan with 46 off 41 balls, while Najibullah Zadran hit unbeaten 45 from 31 deliveries which included six fours and a six. Sameer Yousuf took two, while Tahir Dar and Vasantha Kunder claimed one wicket each Bahrain.

In reply, Bahrain kept losing wickets at regular intervals before eventually being packed for 85 runs with Anasm Khan making the top score for 13 runs for his side. Man-of-the-match Gulbadin, who top scored for Afghanistan, returned to take 4-23, while Hamza Hotak claimed 3-7. Shapoor Zadran, Mahammad Nabi and Samiullah Shenwari also grabbed one wicket apiece for Afghanistan.

After their second successive victory, Afghanistan lead the Group ‘B’ table on better net run-rate after tying on four points with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Kuwait stay third with two points, while Bahrain and Oman are winless after two games.