Afghanistan crowned Emerging Asia Cup champions after defeating Sri Lanka
Their journey included wins against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the group stage, and a dominant semi-final victory against India.
Afghanistan 'A' team emerged victorious in the ACC Emerging Asia Cup, defeating Sri Lanka by 7 wickets in the final held at Al Amerat Cricket Ground, Oman.
Batting first, Sri Lanka managed 133/7, with Sahan Arachchige's resilient 64 off 47 balls being the standout performance. Afghanistan's bowlers, Mohammad Ghazanfar, Bilal Sami, and Sharafuddin Ashraf, showcased excellent bowling, restricting Sri Lanka to a modest total. Ghazanfar took 2 wickets for 14 runs in 4 overs, while Sami bagged 3 wickets for 22 runs.
In response, Afghanistan chased down the target with 11 balls to spare, led by Sadiqullah Atal's crucial 55 off 55 balls, including three fours and a six. Karim Janat's brisk 33 off 27 balls and captain Darwish Rasooli's 24 contributed to the victory. Atal, who scored half-centuries in all five matches, amassed 368 runs at an average of 122.66 and a strike rate of 147.79, earning him the Player of the Tournament accolade.
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This victory marks Afghanistan 'A' team's first title in the T20 format of the Emerging Asia Cup, reflecting their growing prowess in international cricket.
