Sharjah: Teen sensation Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s career-best T20 bowling display went in vain as the Nangarhar Leopards slipped to an agonizing 26-run loss in a low-scoring group match to hand the Kandahar Knights a lifeline in Saturday’s late Afghanistan Premier League (APL) fixture.

Desperately needing a win to stay in contention, the Knights had earlier wilted to an under-par 136 for 8 followng a telling spell from the 17-year-old Mujeeb. However, his efforts with the ball went in vain as none of the Nangarhar Leopards’ batsmen kept their focus chasing an easy-looking target to fold up for 110 in 19.3 overs.

The late night result handed the Kandahar Knights their first points while keeping them in the running for a place in the semi-finals in this five-team competition.

Despite no worthy contribution from hard-hitting Chris Gayle, the Balkh Legends became the first team to ease through into the knockouts. Kabul Zwanan and the Paktia Panthers are within a whisker of the semi-finals with six points, while Nangarhar Leopards are fourth with four points.

The Kandahar Knights now have no other alternative but win their last three group matches against Kabul Zwanan [on Tuesday], Paktia Panthers [Wednesday] and their final one against the Balkh Legends [Thursday] and finish with a healthier run-rate to finish ahead of the Leopards.

Playing a starring role is nothing new for the young, but mature Mujeeb Ur Rahman. On Friday, along with Anton Devcich, he had been one of two stars picking up the man of the match award for his 3 for 29 in the Leopards’ 15-run win over Kabul Zwanan.

Less than 24 hours later, the youngster from the Khost region, was at it again - this time returning with four victims in his four overs at the cost of a mere 16 runs. Going all-out for their maiden win to keep their hopes alive in the competition, the Kandahar Knights never really took off with Mujeeb Ur Rahman as their main tormentor.

His first spell of three overs landed him with the scalps of Karim Sadiq, Paul Stirling and Brendon McCullum, while he bagged the dangerous-looking Riki Wessels in his fourth and final over as the Knights huffed at 21 for 4 by the sixth over.

Had it not been for Najibullah Zadran’s 24 and a 20-ball 22 runs from Wessels the Knights could have found it tough to even go past the 100-run mark. And then Karim Janat came up with a late flourish with an unbeaten 40 off 21 balls to ensure a competitive 136 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs.

However, there were no smiles from Mujeeb closer to midnight as the Nangarhar Leopards caved in to a defeat from a winning position for the second time this week. Shafiqullah Shafiq and Hashmatullah Shahidi were the lone rangers with identical 23 runs, Rahmat Shah chipped in with 17 as Mujeeb Ur Rahman stayed unbeaten on 16 as the Leopards were all out for 110 in 19.3 overs.

 

 

BRIEF SCORES

Kandahar Knights def. Nangarhar Leopards by 26 runs:

Kandahar Knights 136 for 8 in 20 overs (Najibullah Zadran 24, Riki Wessels 22, Karim Janat 40 not out; Mujeeb Ur Rahman 4 for 16, Nathan Rimmington 2 for 33)

Nangarhar Leopards 110 all out in 19.3 overs (Shafiqullah Shafiq 23, Hashmatullah Shahidi 23, Rahmat Shah 17, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 16 not out; Mohammad Naveed 2 for 10, Karim Janat 2 for 19, Waqar Salamkheil 3 for 20).

Man of the Match: Karim Janat of Kandahar Knights.