Fletcher knock keeps Nangarhar Leopards afloat

Andre Fletcher fell short of a deserving half-century but Shafiqullah Shafiq and Hashmatullah Shahidi, with an unbeaten 51-run partnership, kept the Nangarhar Leopards afloat for a semifinal berth in the inaugural Afghanistan Premier League (APL) at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Needing a modest 134 for victory and full points, the Leopards first had debutant Fletcher’s quickfire 48 followed by sensible knocks from Shafiq (27 off 17 balls) and Shahidi (31 off 35) to power through for a sixwicket win against leaders Balkh Legends (10 points). The win also helped the Leopards stem a two-match losing run and take their tally up to six points.

The Balkh Legends, Paktia Panthers and Kabul Zwanan have already eased into the semi-finals, leaving the final spot to be decided between the Nangarhar Leopards and Kandahar Knights.

The Leopards have finished their league engagements with six points and their future is now hinged on Kandahar Knights’ performances in their last two games against Paktia Panthers (scheduled for later yesterday) and Balkh Legends (today).

Needing 6.65 runs per over, debutant Fletcher — later adjudged Man of the Match — set up the Leopards’ win with a dashing 48 off 22 balls, including two fours and six sixes. They stuttered a bit after the quick dismissals of Anton Devcich and Johnson Charles before making it home with two overs to spare.