Amo Region booked its place in the final of Afghanistan’s 2026 e& Regional List A Tournament on Monday after defeating Band-e-Amir Region by 93 runs, powered by a record-setting innings from top-order batter Imran Mir.
The victory lifted Amo Region to the top of the standings with seven points from six matches, making it the first team to secure qualification for the tournament’s championship match.
Batting first after Band-e-Amir won the toss and elected to field, Amo Region posted 308 for 5 in 50 overs. Imran Mir led the charge with 161 runs, while Yousuf Shah contributed 45, Gulbadin Naib added an unbeaten 34 and Faisal Khan Shinozada scored 24.
The innings placed Mir second on the list of the highest individual scores in the history of Afghanistan’s Regional List A tournaments, which date back to 2017.
According to tournament records, only Samiullah Shinwari’s unbeaten 192 against Amo Region in 2018 ranks higher. Mir’s 161 surpassed Najibullah Zadran’s 159 for Bost Region earlier this year and Darwish Rasooli’s 148 in 2024.
Mir’s innings came off 144 balls and included 11 fours and eight sixes.
Band-e-Amir’s chase never gained sustained momentum despite contributions from Javed Ahmadzai (51), Mohammad Akram (46), Sohail Khan Zurmati (36) and Majeed Alam (30). The side was bowled out for 215.
Fazalhaq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib and Izharulhaq Naveed each claimed two wickets for Amo Region, while Javed Ahmadzai and Azim Zadran took one wicket apiece.
Mir was named player of the match.
The result also ended Band-e-Amir Region’s hopes of reaching the final. The team finished its campaign with five points from six matches and a net run rate of minus 0.821.
With one round-robin match remaining, Amo Region has secured first place in the standings. Bost Region sits second with six points from six matches, while Speenghar Region also has six points but has played one match fewer. Mis-e-Ainak Region remains in contention with four points from five matches.
The tournament’s final round-robin match, scheduled for Tuesday, will pit Speenghar Region against Mis-e-Ainak Region in a contest that could determine who joins Amo Region in the final.
A victory for Speenghar would guarantee a place in the championship match, while Mis-e-Ainak could also qualify depending on the result and net run rate calculations.
