Kabul Knight Riders defended their total of 152 runs to beat Speenghar Warriors by 8 runs in the 15th match of the Kabul Premier League 2025 at Ayobi Cricket Stadium on October 18, 2025. After winning the toss, Speenghar Warriors chose to bowl first but could only restrict the Knight Riders to 152 all out in 19.2 overs. Chasing 153, the Warriors fought hard but fell short at 144/9 in their 20 overs. Player of the Match Zahid Afghan took three important wickets to seal victory for Kabul.
Source: ESPNcricinfo Match Scorecard
Match Scorecard
| Team | Score | Overs | Wickets | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kabul Knight Riders | 152 | 19.2 | All Out | Won by 8 runs |
| Speenghar Warriors | 144 | 20.0 | 9 down | Lost |
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zahid Afghan | Kabul Knight Riders | Bowler | 3 wickets for 28 runs (4 overs) |
| Abdollah Ahmadzai | Speenghar Warriors | Bowler | 5 wickets for 41 runs (4 overs) |
| Mohammad Ishaq | Speenghar Warriors | Batsman | 65 runs off 47 balls (8 fours, 3 sixes) |
| Rahimullah Zurmati | Kabul Knight Riders | Batsman | 32 runs off 27 balls |
| Rahmanullah | Kabul Knight Riders | Batsman | 31 runs off 16 balls (6 fours) |
Source: ESPNcricinfo Official Scorecard
Key Moments
- Early collapse: Kabul Knight Riders lost both openers inside two overs, reducing them to 10/2
- Recovery partnership: Rahmanullah’s quick-fire 31 off 16 balls helped Kabul reach 58/3 in the powerplay
- Middle-order struggle: Kabul lost wickets regularly after the powerplay, with Abdollah Ahmadzai taking five wickets
- Lower-order push: Mohammad Ibrahim’s 18 runs helped Kabul reach 152 before being bowled out in 19.2 overs
- Warriors’ poor start: Speenghar lost three wickets for just 26 runs in the powerplay
- Ishaq’s heroics: Mohammad Ishaq scored a brilliant 65 off 47 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes
- Crucial breakthrough: Zahid Afghan dismissed Ishaq in the 15th over when Warriors were at 106/6
- Tight finish: Warriors needed 13 runs from the final over but could only manage 4 runs
Match Analysis
Kabul Knight Riders showed great fighting spirit to defend a below-par total of 152 runs. After their batting lineup collapsed to 152 all out, their bowlers stepped up to win the match. Zahid Afghan was the star performer with three wickets, including the important dismissal of Mohammad Ishaq who was keeping the Warriors in the hunt.
Speenghar Warriors will be disappointed after this loss. Despite Abdollah Ahmadzai’s excellent five-wicket haul with the ball, their batting failed to chase down a gettable target. Mohammad Ishaq played a lone warrior’s innings of 65 runs, but he did not get enough support from the other batsmen. The Warriors lost wickets at regular times, which made the chase very difficult.
The match was played at Ayobi Cricket Stadium in Kabul. Speenghar Warriors won the toss and chose to bowl first, but the decision did not work in their favor. With this win, Kabul Knight Riders earned two points and strengthened their position in the tournament standings.
What’s Next
The Kabul Premier League 2025 continues with more exciting matches. The tournament is moving toward the playoff stages, with Qualifier 1 scheduled for October 19, 2025. Both teams will look to regroup and prepare for their upcoming matches. Kabul Knight Riders will take confidence from this close victory, while Speenghar Warriors need to improve their batting performance in the next game.
Match Details:
- Venue: Ayobi Cricket Stadium, Kabul
- Toss: Speenghar Warriors (elected to field first)
- Player of the Match: Zahid Afghan (Kabul Knight Riders)
- Series: Kabul Premier League 2025/26