Speenghar Region secured a place in the final of Afghanistan’s e& Regional List A Tournament on Tuesday, defeating Mis-e-Ainak Region by three wickets to join Amo Region in the championship match.
The victory gave Speenghar its fourth win of the tournament and ensured a top-two finish at the end of the double round-robin stage.
Mis-e-Ainak, after winning the toss and electing to bat, posted 252 before being bowled out. Captain Shahidullah Kamal led the innings with 73 runs, while Ibrahim Zadran scored 57 and Khalid Taniwal added 52.
Speenghar’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai and Zahir Khan claiming three each. Ismat Alam and Arab Gul Momand took two wickets apiece.
In reply, Speenghar chased down the target in the final over, anchored by an unbeaten century from captain Darwish Rasooli, who scored 100 not out and was named player of the match.
Akbar Musazai contributed 48 runs and Wafiullah Tarakhil added 41 as Speenghar completed the chase with three wickets in hand.
Mis-e-Ainak’s bowlers, led by Abdullah Tarakhil, Majboor Kharoti and Naseer Khan Maroofkhil, were unable to prevent the comeback.
The result ended Mis-e-Ainak’s hopes of reaching the final and concluded the tournament’s round-robin phase.
Speenghar and Amo emerged as the competition’s two strongest teams, finishing ahead of Bost, Mis-e-Ainak and Band-e-Amir to secure places in the championship match.
The final of the ninth Regional List A Tournament is scheduled for June 4 at the Ghazi Amanullah Khan Cricket Stadium in Nangarhar province, where Speenghar and Amo will meet to contest the title.
