Mangal, Nabi lead Afghanistan to 135-run victory against ECB

Sharjah: Nawroz Mangal and Mohammad Nabi cracked breezy half centuries to guide Afghanistan to an emphatic 135-runs victory over Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) Development XI at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, in the first day and night One-day match on Thursday night.

Mangal and Nabi put on a quick 87-runs partnership for the third wicket to put Afghanistan on track to post 272 for eight in 50 overs.

ECB XI were restricted to 137 runs with Nabi sparking with the ball too taking the wickets of Haroon Iftikhar, who made the top score with 24 and Naeemuddin Aslam for 23.

Good start

It was a good start for ECB who won the toss and elected to field. Amjad Javed dismissed Afghanistan's consistent opener Noor Ali for a duck. Shoaib Sarwar bagged opener Karim Sadiq for 14, before Nabi and Mangal settled down to play fine knocks. Nabi's 71 came off just 77 balls with three four and three sixes while Mangal's 78 came off 101 balls with three boundaries and one six. The pair took the score to 120 in just 28.3 overs before Nabi fell to off spinner Rohan Mustafa.

Mangal and Samiullah Serwani, who hit a quick run at ball 30, took the score to 173 before Mohammad Tauqir struck repeatedly taking both the wickets. Arshad Ali too chipped in with two quick wickets, but Asghar cracked 45 off just 21 balls with two fours and three sixes .

Scores

Afghanistan bt ECB Development XI by 135 runs. Afghanistan 272 for 8 in 50 overs (Nawroz Mangal 78, Mohammad Nabi 71, Samiullah Serwani 30, Asghar 45, Amjad Javed 2 for 54, Mohammad Tauqir 2 for 56, Arshad Ali 2 for 45) ECB Development XI 137 in 32.3 overs (Haroon Iftikhar 24, Naeemuddin Aslam 23, Javed Ahmed 2 for 5, Mohammad Nabi 2 for 13, Ezatullah 2 for 23).