Afghan stars to feature in Dubai tournaments

Dubai Top Afghan cricketers have been roped in to play in Dubai Cricket Council's (DCC) tournaments, with deadly Afghani pacer Dawlat Zadran now representing Wings XI in the DCC's Blenheim Champions Trophy.

Zadran, who produced deadly spells against Pakistan in their first One-day match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium and against many associate and affiliate countries in the recent International Cricket Council World Twenty20 qualifiers, has joined Wings XI.

In his very first match, Zadran produced a fine spell of five for 55 against Nucaf Tellicherry to guide his team to 22 runs victory.

Mohammad Nabi, the star Afghanistan all-rounder, had set the trend by playing for Wayanad Highlanders in the recent Kerala Premier League. Wings XI have also roped in Samiullah Shenwari, Gulbodin Naib and Nabi.

Speaking to Gulf News, Mohammad Lokhandwala, the secretary of the DCC, said: "As per our tournament rules every team can include two overseas players. We have created such a clause to lift the standards of our tournaments. There is also a provision to play overseas players who hold a mission visa, which is a sort of residence visa, and Nabi and Shenwari hold such visas."

Wings XI has also signed Ishtiaq Gouri, a top class Pakistan batsman from Karachi. He hit an unbeaten 95 against Tellicherry. Meanwhile, in the Dubai Cricket Council's Cricket for Care Inter Academy tournament, defending champions G Force will meet Desert Cubs Cricket Academy in the final.

G Force beat Young Talents Cricket Academy by eight wickets through a fine allround performance from Varun Totadri. He hit 65 runs and bagged three wickets to ensure an easy win. Desert Cubs defeated Emirates Cricket Training Dubai by nine wickets through Nelukshan De Silva's deadly spell of 4 for 19.