KARACHI: Left-arm spinner Hamza Hotak starred with a four-wicket haul as Afghanistan defeated Liaquatabad Eaglets and Nazeer Hussain Combined XI by seven wickets in a practice game at the Arabian Sea Country Club Cricket Ground on Saturday.

Hamza, who has played nine One-day Internationals, finished with excellent figures of 4-14 in six overs and Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi claimed 2-26 in 10 overs as Liaquatabad Eaglets & Nazeer Hussain Combined XI were restricted to 225-9 in their 50 overs.

Shah Ali Zafar held his team’s innings together with a solid 75 off 113 balls with five boundaries. Skipper Tahir Khan hoisted three sixes and one four in his 36-ball 30.

Afghanistan, in reply, romped home in 46 overs while losing just three wickets. Noor Ali slammed an enterprising 75 off 58 balls with five fours and one six, Nabi hammered 49-ball 56 studded with three fours and two sixes while Samiullah Shenwari hit three fours and one six in making 48 in 51 balls.

The touring team is on a short training tour in its build-up for next month’s six-nation ACC Premier League schedule in Malaysia from May 1.

Summarised scores:

LIAQUATABAD EAGLETS & NAZEER HUSSAIN COMBINED XI 225-9 in 50 overs (Shah Ali Zafar 75, Tahir Khan 36, Babar Rehman 23; Hamza Hotak 4-14, Mohammad Nabi 2-26); AFGHANISTAN 226-3 in 46 overs (Noor Ali 65, Mohammad Nabi 56, Samiullah Shenwari 48).—APP

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