Afghan cricket team loses first match in Pakistan

Afghanistan may be under attack from the U.S., but its cricket team is busy touring Pakistan. And despite losing the first match, its captain feels the squad has great potential.

Nowshera XI brushed aside the inexperienced Afghan team by 10 wickets at Peshawar Tuesday, reports SADA news agency.

Despite the loss, Afghanistan captain Allah Dad Noori said the team was still in high spirits. "We have proved we are against war and have sporting spirit," he said.

The Afghan cricket team is playing its first tournament abroad.

"We are learning, and even though we have lost we think some of our batsmen and bowlers showed we have the guts to further our cricket," he said.

"We are still in the learning phase. We have the potential to be a major cricketing force."

Resuming at their first day's score of 20-2, Afghanistan scored 197 in their second innings, thanks to a fighting 95 by Shafiur Rehman. Rehmat Wali, who took four wickets in Nowshera's first innings, scored a supportive 25.

Afghanistan's second match will be played at Peshawar Thursday.

--Indo-Asian News Service

Mail Cricket Editor