Afghan Cheetas faced Rawalpindi Rams at their first match on 28th of September. The team showed a great game by scoring 162 runs from 20 overs while losing only 4 wickets to Rawalpindi Rams. Samiullah Shenwari (52 from 32 balls bowled by Sohail Tanvir) and Najibullah Zadran (51 from 34 balls, not out) were the stars of the batting line. It seemed a good target but Rawalpindi Rams were much experienced and they reached the targed of 163 in 18.5 overs while losing only 6 wickets. Their opener, Awais Zia, was the highest scorer with 60 runs from 41 balls. Player of the Match was Awais Zia from Rawalpindi Rams.
At their second match, Afghan Cheetahs faced Faisalabd Wolves. Pakistan national players like Saeed Ajmal, Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Talha were playing in the team. After winning the toss, Faisalabad Wolves chose to bat first and put a comprehensive 145 runs on the score board. At our bowling line Mohammad Nabi took the most wickets, 2, while giving only 24 runs in 4 overs. Both Afghan Cheeta's openers were caught behind by Mohammad Salman at Abdur Rauf's bowling at first 17 runs. Then Gulbodin Naib played a good steady game adding 68 runs at only 42 balls. Still then didn't help because Afghanistan could make only 132 runs in 20 overs while losing 9 wickets. Player of the Match was Gulbodin Naib from Afghan Cheetahs.
At their third match, Afghan Cheeta's faced Multan Tigers. Afghan Cheetas won the toss and chose to bat first. They put a good score of 131 runs from 20 overs losing 9 wickets to Multan Tigers. Najib Taraki (34 from 24 balls) and Mohammad Nabi(34 from 29) balls were the high scorers of Afghan Cheetahs in the game. They were followed by Fazal Niyazai(21 of 23 balls) and Nasim Khan(13 of 13 balls). The rest of the team couldn't make it to two digit scores. On the bowling line of Multan Tigers, Shabir Ahmed(4 overs, 27 runs, 3 wickets) and Naved Yasin(4 overs, 17 runs, 4 wickets) were the stars. Multan Tigers completed the target by losing only 6 wickets to Afghan Cheetahs at 19.2 overs. Zain Abbas(54 of 35 balls) and Kamran Hussain(33 of 27 balls, not out) were the leading scorers of the team. Player of the match was Naved Yasin from Multan Tigers.
After the three loses, Afghan Cheetahs couldn't proceed to the semi finals. It was a disappointing tournament for Afghan Cricket Fans but our team was facing very experienced teams. Some of our experienced players were also playing UAE in the mean time as preparation for the Intercontinental match against UAE which starts on 5th of October.
In the next few days Afghanistan National Team will be facing West Indies XI on 3rd of October for a friendly match at ICC Global Cricket Academy, Dubai. For the Intercontinental Cup, Afghanistan will face UAE on 5th of October for a four day match and on 10th and 12th of October they will be facing UAE for two ODI's also for Intercontinental Cup.
