Afghanistan's U-19 Victory Streak Continues

In a thrilling display of talent and precision, Afghanistan's under-19 cricket team charged past Hong Kong by an impressive eight wickets, marking their second consecutive victory at the ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Asia Qualifier held in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Bowling Brilliance Shuts Down Hong Kong

Afghanistan's bowlers were nothing short of sensational, dismantling Hong Kong's batting order for a mere 70 runs in just 36.2 overs. Hafeezullah Zadran emerged as the star of the show with phenomenal bowling figures of 3 wickets for only 16 runs. Not to be outdone, Nasratullah Nuristani contributed with a staggering 2 for just 2 runs, while five other bowlers, including Zaitullah Shaheen and Wahidullah Zadran, each claimed a wicket, showcasing a formidable team effort.

Quick Chase Seals the Deal

Chasing down the modest target proved to be a walk in the park for the Afghan squad, who completed their innings at 71 runs for the loss of just 2 wickets within a mere 15 overs.

A Winning Momentum Builds

This victory comes on the heels of Afghanistan’s earlier triumph against Oman, where they comfortably chased a target of 92 runs in just 11.1 overs, thanks to stellar performances from Khalil Ahmadzai and Uzair Khan Niazi, who scored 40 and 27 runs respectively.

Aiming for World Cup Qualification

With these two convincing wins under their belt, Afghanistan stands out as a key contender in the tournament. They are competing against four other teams - Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and, of course, Hong Kong - for a coveted spot in the 2026 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. The stakes are high, and with their dominant performances, Afghanistan’s U-19 team is on a solid path to securing qualification.