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Afghanistan were facing defeat against Nawshera at stumps on the opening day of the two-day Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Grade-II match at Peshawar's Arbab Niaz Stadium. Put into bat, Afghanistan were dismissed for 125 in 31.4 overs. Nawshera replied with 224 for nine declared which left the debutants to face nine overs for the day in which Afghanistan lost both the openers to finish with 20 for two.

They still require 79 runs to avoid follow on. Afghanistan cricketers, according to information, attracted a large number of foreign media covering US-led air raids on the country in response to Sept 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.

However, eye-witnesses said the day's proceedings went on untroubled. "In fact, it was a very peaceful day. There were around 250 spectators and just four policemen. Though there were no fences to stop spectators enter the field, they (spectators) glued to their seats and only appreciated if a wicket fell or a boundary was struck," eye-witnesses said.

Afghanistan skipper Allah Dad Noori was not a media-shy person when he answered the queries of the scribes in detail. "We are here to prove that we are not terrorists but peace loving people. The international reputation we are getting is incorrect," he told reporters. However, the medium-pace bowler and middle-order batsman expressed his surprise over New Zealand Cricket (NZC) and Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) decision to cancel the tour to Pakistan.

"Their decision amazes me. Our country is being bombarded but we are here playing cricket. There is no security threat even in Peshawar which is kilometres from Kabul border," he said. However, when inquired how may of its players crossed the border for the match, Noori said: "None. We all are refugees and migrated to Peshawar during the time Russia invaded Afghanistan in the 1980s."

Noori said his team assembled on Oct 5 at Peshawar and since then had been training at the Academy ground. Reverting to the day's play, in Afghanistan's 125 in 31.4 overs, Nauroz top scored with 32 that included four boundaries. Abid Gul (26), Shafi-ur-Rehman (18 not out) were the other notable run-getters.

For Nawshera, Gohar Ali picked three wickets for 29 runs, Imran Durrani two for 39 and Rizwan 2-16. When Nawshera batted, they declared at 224 for nine after being 212 for six at one stage. Naveed Khan was the main scorer with 69 that included nine boundaries. Akbar Khan struck seven fours in his 54 while Mohammad Asif (39) and Azam Khan (20) were the other contributors.

Afghanistan's left-arm spinner Rahmat Wali was the pick of bowlers with four for 22. Off-spinner Mohammad Alam (three for 46), Abdullah (one for 46) and Allah Dad Noori (one for 64) were the other wicket-takers.

© Dawn