Band-e-Amir Dragons secured a tense 5-wicket win over Amo Sharks in the Shpageeza Cricket League, thanks to a brilliant all-round performance by their captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi. Chasing 148, the Dragons reached the target with four balls to spare, driven by Hashmatullah’s unbeaten 57 off 48 balls.
In the fourth match of the Shpageeza Cricket League 2024, Band-e-Amir Dragons emerged victorious against Amo Sharks by 5 wickets at the Kabul International Cricket Stadium. Amo Sharks, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, posted a competitive total of 147/7 in their 20 overs. Zubaid Akbari top-scored for the Sharks with a well-constructed 58 off 49 balls, while Abdul Malik provided a quick start with 25 off 17 balls. However, the Sharks’ innings struggled to gain momentum, with Band-e-Amir’s bowlers, particularly AM Ghazanfar (1/15 in 4 overs) and Amir Hamza (1/17 in 4 overs), applying pressure throughout the innings.
In response, Band-e-Amir Dragons got off to a shaky start, losing Riaz Hassan for 10 in the sixth over. However, Sediqullah Atal’s aggressive 40 off 30 balls set a solid foundation. The Dragons found themselves in trouble at 81/5, but a record-breaking 67-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Hashmatullah Shahidi and Sediqullah Pacha turned the game in their favor. Hashmatullah led from the front with an unbeaten 57, guiding his team to victory with four balls to spare.
Key Moments:
- Hashmatullah Shahidi’s all-round performance, including his 57* and 1/15 with the ball, earned him the Player of the Match award.
- The crucial 67-run partnership between Hashmatullah Shahidi and Sediqullah Pacha set a new record for the highest sixth-wicket stand for Band-e-Amir Dragons in T20s, surpassing the previous record of 60.
Brief Scores:
Amo Sharks: 147/7 in 20 overs (Zubaid Akbari 58, Abdul Malik 25; AM Ghazanfar 1/15, Amir Hamza 1/17).
Band-e-Amir Dragons: 148/5 in 19.2 overs (Hashmatullah Shahidi 57*, Sediqullah Atal 40; Qais Ahmad 2/24, Sharafuddin Ashraf 2/28).
Player of the Match: Hashmatullah Shahidi for his unbeaten 57 off 48 balls and his vital contribution with the ball.
