Afghanistan A opened their campaign in the Sri Lanka A Teams’ Tri-Nation Series with a narrow four-run victory over India A on Thursday, prevailing under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method after rain repeatedly interrupted the match.
After winning the toss, Afghanistan A elected to field, allowing India A to set a formidable target. India A responded with 349 for 9 in 49 overs, putting Afghanistan under pressure from the outset.
Abdullah Ahmadzai led Afghanistan’s bowling attack with figures of 5 for 68, while Farmanullah Safi claimed 3 for 85 to help limit further damage.
Rain, which had already interrupted the first innings, returned during Afghanistan’s chase and ultimately reduced the contest to 38 overs. Under the revised DLS calculation, Afghanistan A were set a target of 294 runs.
The chase began strongly, with Afghanistan’s openers adding 63 runs for the first wicket. Captain Imran Mir then anchored the innings with an unbeaten 75, sharing a match-defining 108-run partnership with Baheer Shah, who finished not out on 51.
The pair kept Afghanistan ahead of the required DLS rate as further rain interruptions threatened to derail the chase.
When rain halted play for a third time and conditions prevented any further action, Afghanistan were declared winners by four runs under the DLS method.
Imran delivered an all-round performance, adding 1 for 24 with the ball to his unbeaten half-century, and was named Player of the Match.
The victory gives Afghanistan A a winning start in the tri-nation tournament, which also features Sri Lanka A.
Afghanistan A will face Sri Lanka A in their next match on Saturday at the same venue.
