Bilal Sami took seven wickets across two innings as Maiwand Champions opened their title defence with a 35-run victory over Mahipar Stars in the ninth Ahmad Shah Abdali First Class Tournament.
After being sent in to bat, Maiwand scored 211 in their first innings. Rahmanullah Zadran led the batting with 84, while Ijaz Ahmadzai made 51 and Arab Gul Momand finished unbeaten on 31.
Mahipar captain Yamin Ahmadzai took four wickets for 41 runs. Mohammad Ibrahim and Bashir Ahmad claimed three wickets each.
Mahipar replied with 197, leaving Maiwand with a 14-run first-innings advantage. Yamin also contributed 61 with the bat, while Riaz Hassan scored 40. Nijat Masoud led Maiwand’s bowling with four wickets for 52 runs.
Maiwand then made 217 in their second innings. Captain Afsar Zazai scored 51, with Rahmanullah adding 45, Ijaz Ahmadzai 44 and Najibullah Zadran 35. That set Mahipar a target of 232.
Bilal took five wickets for 76 runs in the final innings, adding to his two wickets in Mahipar’s first innings. Aftab Alam took two for 38, while Nijat Masoud and Arab Gul Momand shared the remaining wickets as Mahipar fell 35 runs short.
Bilal was named Player of the Match for match figures of seven wickets for 149 runs.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board’s opening summary listed the margin as 34 runs, but its detailed match report recorded a 35-run victory. ASJFNEWS has used the detailed result, which is consistent with the stated target.
The four-team red-ball competition runs from August 29 to October 8 across Khost and Nangarhar provinces. Maiwand, Mahipar, Hindukush Strikers and Pamir Legends are playing a double round-robin format, with the final scheduled to begin on October 4.
