Afghanistan XI produced a dominant all-round performance to defeat Uzbekistan by 199 runs in a friendly Twenty20 match at Rahmat Wali Masroor Cricket Stadium in Khost on Thursday. Hasan Isa Khail starred with a century before being named Player of the Match.
Khost | By Niaz Shinwari, AIPS Member
Afghanistan XI registered a commanding 199-run victory over Uzbekistan in a friendly Twenty20 match at Rahmat Wali Masroor Cricket Stadium in Khost on Thursday, delivering an emphatic display with both bat and ball.
After winning the toss, Uzbekistan elected to field first. Afghanistan XI capitalized on the decision, posting an imposing 323 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs and setting the visitors a daunting target of 324.
Hasan Isa Khail led the batting effort with a blistering 120, while Imran Mir contributed 74. Faisal Khan Shinwari added 31, and Noorur Rahman chipped in with 29 to help Afghanistan amass one of the highest totals in a T20 match.
Afghanistan XI maintained their dominance with the ball, successfully defending the massive total and bowling out or restricting Uzbekistan to hand the visitors a comprehensive 199-run defeat.
Nasir Khan Maroof Khail, Imran Mir and Wafadar Momand claimed two wickets each for Afghanistan, while Faridoon Dawoodzai added one wicket. Hasan Isa Khail was named Player of the Match for his outstanding century and overall performance.
The friendly fixture was held under a memorandum of understanding between the Afghanistan Cricket Board and the Uzbekistan Cricket Federation aimed at promoting and developing cricket in Uzbekistan. The agreement was signed in early December 2025.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board said the match reflected its continued commitment to supporting emerging cricket nations such as Uzbekistan by sharing technical expertise and playing experience. The board has previously organized capacity-building workshops for officials and players from the Uzbekistan Cricket Federation and has also provided opportunities for Uzbek fast bowlers to train at Afghanistan’s specialized fast-bowling development camp.
Following the match, Afghanistan’s T20I captain and opening batter Ibrahim Zadran visited the Uzbekistan dressing room, congratulated the visiting players on their efforts, and welcomed them to Afghanistan. He expressed hope that the Uzbek team would continue to tour Afghanistan in the future and that cricket cooperation and knowledge-sharing between the two countries would continue to grow.
The friendly match formed part of the growing cricket partnership between the Afghanistan Cricket Board and the Uzbekistan Cricket Federation. Afghanistan has played an active role in supporting cricket development across the region through coaching, technical assistance and player development initiatives, helping emerging cricket nations strengthen their domestic and international programs.