Band-e-Amir Region Win the Etisalat Presents Afghan United Bank – Qosh Tepa National T20 Cup 2024

The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led Band-e-Amir Region beat the Mis-e-Ainak Region by 23 runs in the Grand Finale to win the inaugural edition of the Etisalat Presents Afghan United Bank – Qosh Tepa National T20 Cup 2024.

The event started on May 1 in Kabul province which saw five regional teams competing in a double round-robin format followed by the final between the top two teams that was held today in Kabul Cricket Stadium, Kabul.

Earlier in the morning, Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and decided that the Band-e-Amir Region will bat first in the final. Karim Janat (107) and Bahar Shinwari (32) put on a superb batting performance as they helped the Bost Region put a mammoth 196/5 runs in the first inning. Wahidullah Zadran (1/27), Zia Ur Rahman (1/34), Dawlat Zadran (1/42) and Mohammad Riaz (1/27) took one wicket each for the Mis-e-Ainak Region.

They then followed their excellent batting effort with even better bowling performance to bundle out the Mis-e-Ainak Region at 173 runs to win the game by 23 runs in the final to win the title of the Qosh Tepa National T20 Cup 2024. 

Despite efforts from Shahidullah Kamal (41), Naveed Obaid (34) and Ibrahim Zadran (26) the Mis-e-Ainak Region struggled to gain momentum against Band-e-Amir Region's impressive bowling, led by Karim Janat (4/34), Wafadar Momand (2/29) and Nijat Masoud (2/51), winning the match by 23 runs in the end.

Karim Janat (107 (53) & 4/34), who scored an incredible hundred in the first inning, and took 4/34 in the 2nd inning, was awarded the player of the match. Bost Region’s slow left-arm spinner Mohammadullah Logari, who took 11 wickets during the event, was awarded as the Emerging player of the Tournament. 

Wahidullah Zadran, Mis-e-Ainak region’s young mystery spinner, picked 13 wickets and was recognized as the best bowler of the Etisalat Presents Afghan United Bank – Qosh Tepa National T20 Cup 2024. In addition, Bost Region’s top-order batter Hazratullah Zazai was adjudged as the best batter of the tournament for scoring 310 runs in the event. 

Ibrahim Zadran, the skipper for the Mis-e-Ainak Region, scored 323 runs and led his team to the final, was awarded as the best player of the tournament. Furthermore, Band-e-Amir region’s all-rounder Karim Janat was awarded as the Best All-rounder of the event for scoring 197 runs and taking 10 wickets in the event.

The Etisalat Presents Afghan United Bank – Qosh Tepa National T20 Cup was inaugural edition of its type, which has recently been added to the Domestic Cricket Structure, and will be followed by the Regional three-day, FC and List A tournaments later in the year.