Band-e-Amir Region opened its e& List A Tournament campaign with a tense seven-run victory over Mis-e-Ainak Region on Sunday after surviving a powerful late chase in a high-scoring match at the Ghazi Amanullah Khan Cricket Stadium in Nangarhar.
Band-e-Amir posted 331 for 9 in its allotted 50 overs before restricting Mis-e-Ainak to 324 for 9, sealing victory in the tournament opener powered by Super Cola.
The match appeared poised for a Mis-e-Ainak comeback after aggressive batting performances from Rahmanullah Zadran, who scored 109, and captain Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who added 88 during the chase. Mohammad Younis Zadran also contributed 48 runs, but Mis-e-Ainak ultimately fell short of the target despite a sustained late innings push.
Band-e-Amir’s bowling attack held its nerve in the closing overs, with Khalil Ahmad, Faridoon Dawoodzai, Shams Ur Rahman and Nangyal Kharoti each claiming two wickets to prevent Mis-e-Ainak from completing the chase.
Earlier, Band-e-Amir built its imposing total through a collective batting performance led by Ijaz Ahmadzai, who scored 75 and was later named Player of the Match.
Noor Rahman added 53, while Hassan Eisakhil struck an even 50 as Band-e-Amir maintained a steady scoring rate throughout the innings. Additional contributions from Sediqullah Atal (39), Shams Ur Rahman (36) and Farmanullah Safi (36) helped push the total beyond the 330 mark.
Faridoon Dawoodzai was named the match’s “Game Changer” after taking two crucial wickets during Mis-e-Ainak’s chase.
The match also featured a standout century from Rahmanullah Zadran, whose 109 kept Mis-e-Ainak within reach of victory deep into the final overs. Gurbaz, one of Afghanistan’s leading international batters, anchored the top order with a composed 88 before the chase unraveled late.
Sunday’s result gives Band-e-Amir an early advantage in the regional one-day competition, which brings together Afghanistan’s top domestic cricket sides in a 50-over format.
