Baheer Mahboob scored a scintillating century to guide Afghanistan U-19 to a 5 runs victory by Duckworth-Lewis method over Central Districts XI @Nelson Park in Napier.
The 2nd match between both the sides saw CD XI bat first and post a respectable total of 264/7 in their 50 overs. All batters in the top 6 got starts for the home team with WC Ludick top-scoring with 71 runs from 60 deliveries. Bayley Wiggins (35 off 50), Brad Schmulian (36 off 64) and Matt Edmondson (29 off 25) also got amongst the runs for CD XI.
A brief cameo from Angus Schaw (18 n.o off 16) helped CD XI reach their final total. Afghanistan bowlers were able to pick up wickets at crucial junctures in the game to not let CD XI make more runs towards the end. Naveen-ul-Haq (2/59), Mujeeb Zadran (2/39) and Baheer Pakten (2/38) were the pick of the bowlers for Afghanistan U-19.
Ibrahim Zadran (49 off 69) gave good start along with Baheer Mahboob after Ikram Ali Khil was dismissed in the first over of their chase. The paid put up a 100 runs partnership for the 2nd wicket before Ibrahim was dismissed by Brad Schumilian. Darwish Rasooli joined Baheer and made a quickfire 41-balls 42 before he got run-out in the 37th over after putting on a 77 runs partnership for the 3rd wicket.
Nisar Wahadat (25 n.o off 28) gave company to Baheer while he went on to complete his century and was unbeaten on 105 runs off 136 deliveries as the rain arrived in the 46th over with Afghanistan U-19 at 231/3, needing another 34 off 24 deliveries.
No further play was possible with Afghanistan U-19 scraping through with less wickets loss to be ahead by 5 runs as the D/L par score at the end of 46th over was 226 for loss of max 3 wickets.
