Band-e Amir Stars secured a hard-fought 10-run victory over Speenghar Warriors in the 4th match of the Kabul Premier League 2025 at Kabul on October 11. After posting a strong total of 206/6 in their 20 overs, the Stars defended successfully as the Warriors fell short at 196/9. Irfan Safi’s explosive unbeaten 44 off 28 balls and Farmanullah’s powerful 38 off 25 deliveries helped Band-e Amir build a challenging total. Despite a strong effort from Allah Noor who scored 46 off 38 balls and the opening pair, Speenghar couldn’t chase down the target.
Source: ESPNcricinfo Official Scorecard
Match Scorecard
| Team | Score | Overs | Wickets | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band-e Amir Stars | 206 | 20.0 | 6 | Won by 10 runs |
| Speenghar Warriors | 196 | 20.0 | 9 | Lost |
Source: ESPNcricinfo
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irfan Safi | Band-e Amir Stars | Batsman | 44* (28 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes, SR: 157.14) |
| Yousuf Shah | Band-e Amir Stars | Batsman | 41 (33 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes, SR: 124.24) |
| Farmanullah (c) | Band-e Amir Stars | All-rounder | 38 (25 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes, SR: 152.00) |
| Allah Noor | Speenghar Warriors | Batsman | 46 (38 balls, 4 fours, 1 six, SR: 121.05) |
| Haroon Khan | Speenghar Warriors | Batsman | 41 (20 balls, 5 fours, 1 six, SR: 205.00) |
| Zubaid Akbari (c) | Speenghar Warriors | Batsman | 33 (16 balls, 5 fours, 1 six, SR: 206.25) |
| Mohammad Gul Alizai | Band-e Amir Stars | Bowler | 2/52 (4 overs, Economy: 13.00) |
| Qasimullah Ashrafi | Speenghar Warriors | Bowler | 2/35 (4 overs, Economy: 8.75) |
Source: ESPNcricinfo
Key Moments
- Explosive start from Speenghar: Zubaid Akbari and Haroon Khan put on 72 runs in just over 5 overs during the powerplay, with both openers striking at over 200
- Zazai’s early exit: Hazratullah Zazai fell for 19 off 15 balls in the 6th over, giving Speenghar an early breakthrough
- Shah’s anchoring role: Yousuf Shah scored 41 runs off 33 balls to provide stability to the Band-e Amir innings
- Farmanullah’s power hitting: The captain accelerated with a quick 38, helping his team reach a strong position
- Safi’s match-winning knock: Irfan Safi remained unbeaten on 44, guiding Band-e Amir past the 200-run mark
- Quick wickets derail chase: After the opening stand of 72, Speenghar lost both openers within 2 overs, falling from 80/2 to 122/4
- Noor’s lone fight: Allah Noor battled hard with 46 runs but lacked support from the middle order
- Death bowling excellence: Mohammad Gul Alizai claimed two crucial wickets in the final overs to seal the victory
Match Analysis
Band-e Amir Stars showed great resilience in this high-scoring contest. After a shaky start that saw them at 44/2, they recovered brilliantly through partnerships in the middle order. The fourth wicket partnership between Irfan Safi and Farmanullah added 50 runs in just 24 balls, which changed the momentum completely. Their ability to score at over 10 runs per over throughout the innings put pressure on the Warriors.
Speenghar Warriors had the perfect start to their chase. During the powerplay, they scored 72 runs for just one wicket, putting themselves in a strong position. However, once the openers departed, the middle order struggled to maintain the required run rate of over 10 runs per over. The Warriors’ middle-order collapse from 80/1 to 122/4 proved to be the turning point.
Farmanullah contributed with the ball as well, taking 2 wickets for 26 runs in 3 overs, showing his all-round value to the team. Jalal Stanikzai, who came in as an impact substitute, also picked up 2 wickets, making an immediate impact on the game.
What’s Next
This victory gives Band-e Amir Stars early momentum in the Kabul Premier League 2025 tournament. The team’s batting depth and ability to defend totals under pressure will give them confidence going forward. For Speenghar Warriors, despite the loss, their aggressive batting approach in the powerplay shows they have the firepower to compete. They will need to work on their middle-order stability for upcoming matches.
The Kabul Premier League continues to showcase exciting T20 cricket with competitive matches and strong performances from Afghan cricketers.