Dubai: Afghanistan grabbed the ICC Intercontinental Cup defeating United Arab Emirates by 10 wickets on the fourth and final day at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
After the seventh and last round of matches of the four-day competition, Afghanistan finished on top of the eight-team table with 121 points, while Ireland had to settle for the second spot with 109 points.
The two-and-half year first-class competition that began in 2015, provided for four-day competition to the eight participating teams.
Afghanistan bowler Rashid Khan was delighted with the victory in which Afghanistan captured the title for the second time, by storming to victory over the UAE by 10 wickets and claimed 12 points.
“Winning the ICC Intercontinental Cup for the second time is wonderful and being unbeaten is fantastic. We worked hard and this match was really challenging for us, we have learnt a lot from the competition,” said Rashid.
Centuries from Ihsanullah (124), the captain Asghar Stanikzai (114) and Rahmat Shah (103) contributed to a huge first innings total of 510 runs for nine wickets as Afghanistan declared.
The UAE could only amass a first innings total of 197 runs all out with Shaiman Anwar (85) as the top scorer. Zahir Khan three wickets for 30 runs and Rashid Khan’s three wickets for 69 runs ensured Afghanistan enforced the follow-on.
Rashid Khan’s bowling display of five for 83 runs, even with Chirag Suri (81) and Rohan Mustafa (68) contributions meant Afghanistan would only need to score 19 runs for victory, after they bowled out UAE for 331 all out.
Javed Ahmadi (2) and Ihsnaullah (18) scored the winning runs in 5.3 overs as Afghanistan claimed the title.
ANI