Pamir Stars held their nerve to defend 253 runs against Band-e Amir Stars in a nail-biting finish at Ayobi Cricket Stadium on October 16, 2025. Emal’s brilliant unbeaten 75 off just 36 balls powered Pamir Stars to a huge total of 253/4. Despite a fighting 67 from Naveed Obaid and 45 from captain Farmanullah, Band-e Amir fell short by four runs, finishing at 249/7. The match featured explosive batting from both sides, with 22 sixes combined and a run rate above 12 throughout. Emal was named Player of the Match for his match-winning knock.
Source: ESPNcricinfo – Kabul Premier League 2025-26, 11th Match
Match Scorecard
| Team | Score | Overs | Wickets | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pamir Stars | 253 | 20 | 4 | Won by 4 runs |
| Band-e Amir Stars | 249 | 20 | 7 | Lost |
Venue: Ayobi Cricket Stadium, Kabul
Toss: Band-e Amir Stars elected to field first
Player of the Match: Emal (Pamir Stars)
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emal | Pamir Stars | Batsman | 75* (36 balls, 5 fours, 0 sixes, SR: 208.33) |
| Naveed Obaid | Band-e Amir Stars | Batsman | 67 (29 balls, 3 fours, 5 sixes, SR: 231.03) |
| Asghar Atal | Pamir Stars | Captain/Batsman | 63 (38 balls, 5 fours, 8 sixes, SR: 165.78) |
| Farmanullah | Band-e Amir Stars | Captain/Bowler | 45 runs & 2/40 in 4 overs |
| Atta Mohammad Zarmal | Pamir Stars | Wicket-keeper | 38* (20 balls, 2 fours, 5 sixes, SR: 190.00) |
| Iqdamul Haq | Band-e Amir Stars | Bowler | 2/54 in 4 overs |
Key Moments
- Powerplay Burst: Naveed Obaid came out swinging for Band-e Amir, reaching 67 off just 29 balls with a strike rate over 230 to give his team a flying start in the chase.
- Captain’s Contribution: Asghar Atal anchored Pamir Stars’ innings with 63 runs including eight sixes before falling in the 14th over at 159/4.
- Emal’s Fireworks: The Player of the Match smashed an unbeaten 75 off 36 deliveries, striking at over 208 to push Pamir Stars past 250.
- Late Partnership: Atta Mohammad Zarmal provided crucial support with 38* off 20 balls, adding an unbroken 94-run stand with Emal for the fifth wicket.
- Farmanullah’s Fightback: The Band-e Amir captain scored 45 and took 2 wickets, but his dismissal in the 15th over at 185/3 shifted momentum back to Pamir Stars.
- Collapse Under Pressure: Band-e Amir lost 4 wickets for just 32 runs between overs 15-17, falling from 185/3 to 217/7.
- Thrilling Finish: Imran Khan’s late hitting (20* off 8 balls) nearly pulled off a miracle, but Band-e Amir finished 4 runs short despite scoring 10 runs in the final over.
Match Analysis
This was a classic T20 shootout where both teams showed attacking cricket. Pamir Stars posted their highest total of the tournament thanks to Emal’s explosive hitting in the death overs. His ability to find boundaries at will made the difference between a good score and a winning one.
Band-e Amir’s chase started perfectly with Naveed Obaid’s aggressive approach. At 185/3 after 14 overs, they needed just 69 runs from 36 balls with seven wickets in hand. However, the loss of their captain Farmanullah triggered a mini-collapse. The middle order could not handle the pressure, and wickets fell in clusters.
The bowling from both sides was expensive, with only Farmanullah managing an economy under 11 runs per over. The high-scoring nature of the match kept fans on their feet until the very last ball.
What’s Next
Pamir Stars move up the points table with this crucial victory, earning 2 points. Their batting depth looks strong with contributions throughout the order. Band-e Amir Stars will need to work on their death bowling and middle-order stability to bounce back in their next match. Both teams will look to carry the positive aggressive approach into upcoming fixtures as the Kabul Premier League continues.