Dawlat Zadran mankads Noor Ali Zadran in the Shpageeza Cricket League

The Afghanistan Cricket Board is currently hosting the seventh edition of its domestic T20 tournament, Shpageeza Cricket League 2020. The event was scheduled to begin from September 13 but was rescheduled to avoid a clash with the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League, which will get underway from September 19 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Shpageeza Cricket League commenced from September 6 and will run till September 16 in Kabul.

The tournament features six teams namely Mis Ainak Knights, Band-e-Amir Dragons, Amo Sharks, Speen Ghar Tigers, Kabul Eagles and Boost Defenders fighting for the title.The 15 league matches will be followed by the playoffs comprising two qualifiers and an eliminator. Final will be played on September 16

The Kabul Eagles were up against the defending champions Mis Ainak Knights in the fourth match of the league at Kabul International Cricket Stadium on September 8. Both the teams had played one match each in the tournament with Knights winning the tournament opener against Band-e-Amir Dragons by just one run while Eagles suffered a 57-run defeat against Boost Defenders.

The match commenced with Knights batting first and racking up a total of 163 at the loss of six wickets on the board. Shahidullah Kamal emerged as a star for his team as he played a knock of 58 off 51 while opening batsman Najeeb Tarakai also made a notable contribution of 32 off 21. As far as the bowlers are concerned, Zia-ur-Rahman took three wickets for Eagles while Nangeyalia Kharote and Nijat Masood got 2 and 1 wicket respectively.

Dawlat Zadran runs batsman out for leaving the crease early

Chasing a target of 164, Eagles lost their first wicket cheaply in the middle of the fourth over. That is when Noor Ali Zadran stepped in and smashed a blistering knock of 61 off 42 balls including 3 fours and 4 sixes. However, the dismissal of the batsman by Dawlat Zadran caught the attention of the viewers.

In the middle of the 16th over, Noor was in great form while the opposition bowler Dawlat was looking for another wicket to give a much-needed breakthrough to his team. Dawlat was ready to bowl the fourth ball of the over when he realized that Zadran, the non-striker, had taken a big stride and was out of the crease. Taking the advantage, the bowler whipped the bails off sending the batsman back to the pavilion.

However, the dismissal didn’t make much of a difference and the Eagles registered their first victory against the Knights by 4 wickets. But the dismissal has once again ignited the debate over mankading.

Dawlat Zadran has Mankaded Noor Ali Zadran in ongoing Shpageeza T20 League 2020. Dawlat Zadran was on at 61 before he mankaded by Dawlat. #Mankading pic.twitter.com/vijqOJj5B2

— Abhi #IPL2020 🗨️ (@DeadlyYorkers) September 8, 2020