The opening game of the inaugural Afghanistan Premier League turned out to be a heavy dosage of t20 cricket which also ensured a superb conduct of the tournament. Mohammad Shahzad led Paktia Panthers locked horns with Rashid Khan’s Kabul Zwanan at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday night.
Rashid won the toss and invited Shahzad’s XI to bat first. The Afghani wicket-keeper batsman hammered the opposition bowlers in the first-ever match of the league. Along with his opening partner Ihsanullah Janat, he opened the innings and the duo stitched a 101-run partnership for the opening wicket.
The 30-year-old dynamic batsman smashed 5 sixes and 7 fours during his 39-ball stint at the crease and amassed 67 runs against his name. Shahzad became the first batsman of the APL to score a half-century.
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Shahzad lost his wicket in the 10 the over but his team went on to pile up 218 runs after losing 4 wickets.
In reply, Rashid’s side pulled up a stunning last-moment 3-wicket victory with 5 balls to spare. Unfortunately, Shahzad's 39-ball 67 went in the vain as Kabul Zwanan became the first winner of the league.