SHARJAH: Pace bowler Fareed Ahmad kept cool in the last over Friday to foil Asif Khan’s aggressive hitting as a depleted Afghanistan beat United Arab Emirates by four runs in a tri-series match.
After Asif opened the final over with a four, a six and a two, Ahmad beat the bat with the next two balls. Asif needed to find the boundary off the last ball but was caught as Afghanistan held on to win at the Sharjah stadium.
Afghanistan, already sure of facing Pakistan in Saturday’s final, rested six of their main players including skipper Rashid Khan, veteran Mohammad Nabi and in-form opener Sediqullah Atal.
Afghanistan made a 170-4 before restricting UAE to 166-5 in their 20 overs.
Afghanistan’s stand-in skipper Ibrahim Zadran won the toss and batted.
With Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Zadran put on 98 for the first wicket in 12 overs.
Zadran hit 48 in a 35-ball knock that contained three sixes and as many fours.
Gurbaz smashed three fours and a six in his 38-ball innings before both the openers fell off successive deliveries.
Kariam Janat made a 14-ball 28 with three sixes and a boundary and Gulbadin Naib scored a 13-ball 20 not out as Afghanistan hit 56 runs in the last five overs.
Left-arm spinner Haider Ali was the best UAE bowler with 2-23.
For the hosts, Muhammad Waseem scored a 29-ball 44 with three sixes and two fours while Asif made a valiant 28-ball 40 with two sixes and four fours.
Depleted Afghanistan edge UAE in a last-over thriller
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Depleted Afghanistan edge UAE in a last-over thriller
- Afghanistan, already sure of facing Pakistan in Saturday’s final, rested six of their main players
- Afghanistan made a 170-4 before restricting UAE to 166-5 in their 20 overs
68 drivers get underway in first stage of Jeddah Baja Toyota rally
- Opening day covers a total distance of 395 km, including 206 km of timed special stage sections
- Concluding stage will take place on Saturday over a distance of 301 km, including a 91 km timed special stage
JEDDAH: Sixty-eight drivers and navigators from more than 17 countries competed in the opening stage of the Jeddah Baja Toyota rally on Friday.
The first stage covered 395 kilometers, including 206 kilometers of timed special stage sections.
In the Ultimate B category, Yazeed Al-Rajhi and co-driver Timo Gottschalk topped the rankings in a time of 1 hour 48 minutes, 6 seconds, followed by Dania Akeel with 02:01:36 and Miroslav Zapletal on 02:02:28.
In the Ultimate category, Faris Almoshana led the field with a time of 02:21:22, ahead of Abdulaziz Alyaeesh (03:10:19) and Hussein Al-Lapid (03:37:39).
In the Stock category, Sufian Alomer took first place with a time of 02:27:18, with Khalaf Al-Shammari in second (02:48:11) and Majed Althunayyan third (03:18:40).
In the Challenger category, the top three were Hamad Al-Harbi (02:19:52), Saleh Alsaif (02:20:59) and Abdullah Alfahhad (02:29:14).
Top spot in the Side-by-Side category went to Hamza Bakhashab (02:02:42), followed by Maha Al-Hamali (02:11:34) and Mansour Al-Helei (02:12:42).
Teruhito Sugawara of Japan crossed the line first the Trucks category in a time of 02:20:52.
In the Motorbikes category, Abdul Halim Al-Mughirah was fastest with a time of 02:47:39, followed by Thomas Blackburn (02:50:15) and Abdulla Lanjawi (02:59:58).
In the Quads category, Hani Alnoumesi (02:52:03) led the way, ahead of Abdularahman Alabdullatif (03:53:31) and Merehin Albaz (05:01:11).
The second and final stage of the Jeddah Baja Toyota will take place on Saturday over a distance of 301 kilometers, including a 91 kilometer timed special stage.
The event is organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Sport and Jeddah Governorate, with support from official partners Jameel Motorsport and the Saudi Motorsport Marshals Club.
