Cutting’s man-of-the-match effort goes in vain
Team effort helps Paktia Panthers carve out 21-run win on third day of APL
Ben Cutting’s fine all-round show ended in vain as Paktia Panthers logged their first points with a 21-run win against the Nangarhar Leopards on the third day of the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) in the early group match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium yesterday.
With his side reeling at 51 for five before the midway stage of their chase, Cutting let loose — perhaps belatedly — for a lusty 71 from 39 deliveries, including six sixes and five boundaries only to depart in the penultimate ball of the innings. For the Paktia Panthers, it was a fine team effort after their opening night’s three-wicket loss against Kabul Zwanan. Captain Mohammad Shahzad was the pick with a quick-fire 53 off 31 deliveries and Samiullah Shenwari struck an unbeaten 38 off 25 balls after electing to bat first.
Facing a steep asking rate of more than nine runs an over, the Leopards were in a bit of an early bother losing Johnson Charles and Anton Devcich cheaply with the score 17 for two. Rahmat Shah didn’t last long either, leaving the Leopards clambering at 30 for 3.