Afghanistan cricketers play Kandy District

S. M. Jiffrey ABDEEN Kandy Sports Corr

The visiting Afghanistan national cricket team will take on the Kandy District cricket team in a two day cricket match at the Pallekelle Cricket Stadium in Pallekelle today and tomorrow (Thursday/Friday - January 14 and 15) with play commencing at 9.45 a.m. each day.

This Afghanistan's first ever visit to Sri Lanka since they started playing cricket about ten years ago influenced by the bordering Pakistan. Their cricket has made tremendous progress since then winning many trophies including the ICC Associate members championship and this year they are participating in the ICC under 19 World Cup which will be held in New Zealand.

They achieved all this within a space of ten years and being a poor country they are being funded by the Asian Cricket Council whose Chairman - Development is Sri Lanka's first test captain Bandula Warnapura. They were all praise for the Asian Cricket Council for the assistance they are rendering to this war torn country and even this tour is also being funded by the ACC.

In the two limited cricket matches played in the hill capital this week, they have displayed tremendous fighting qualities. Their bowling and fielding have been exceptionally good and the batting too is good which has made them a force to be reckoned within their own level. It will be a matter of time before they reach higher goals with former Pakistan test cricketer Kabir Khan as the National coach to guide them.

Allrounder Karim Sadiq has been batting well on this tour along with skipper Nawraz Mangal, Mohammed Samdullah Shinwari, Shezhad Mohammed. Medium pacer Hastigul Abed has been their main strike bowler and he will be supported by Shapor Zadran and Khaliqdad Noori, Danlath Ahamedzai.

The Kandy District team will be led by former Antonian and present Kandy CC cricketer Prasad Ranawaka who is reputed for his big hitting and scored well against the visitors by scoring 41 not out and 51 in the two matches played. Others who should be among the runs are Dhanushka Mitipolarachchi, Muditha Wijekoon, Mahesh Rajaratne, Kasun Ekanayake, Suresh Peiris, Kasun de Alwis, Ranga Lihindipita, Chamila Ambagaspitiya.

Former Sir Rahula College cricketer Madhushan Bototage will be their main strike bowler having captured 3 for 19 and 4 for 47 in the two matches played this week. The other bowlers who should restrict the visitors are Kasun Ekanayake, Ranga Lihindipita, Nadun Basnayake, and Suresh Peiris.

The teams:

Afghanistan (from) Nasraz Mangal (captain), Mohammed Nabi (vice Captain), Karim Sadiq, Noor Ali, Races Ahamddai, Azghar Stanikzai, Kmid Hassan, Shahpor Zadran, Khaliqdad Noori, Mirwais Ashroff, Samiullah Shinwari, Shehzad Mohammed, Shafiqullah Shafar, Hastigul Abed, Abdullah Konari, (Coach Xabi Khan Manager M. Nazari)

Kandy District (from) Prasad Ranawaka (captain), Suresh Peiris, Dhanushka Mitipolarachchi, Mahesh Rajaratne, Madushan Bototage, Muditha Wijekoon, Ranga Lihindipita, Ruchiranga Dandeniya, Kasun Ekanayake, Kasun de Alwis, Chamila Ambagaspitiya, Nadun Basnayake, Tharanga Bandara, Madawa Maduranga, Dilshan Kumara, Prasad Amarakoon. (Coach Sunil Fernando, Manager Harold Ranasinghe).