|| CF Correspondent ||

Afghanistan leg spinner Qais Ahmed’s 10-wicket haul helped earn a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh A team in Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna on Monday.

Bangladesh A team’s poor batting in the second innings cost them dearly as the visiting Afghanistan A thrashed them to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Qais was the wrecker-in-chief, claiming 7-65 as the hosts tasted a sensational batting collapse in their second innings to be wrapped up for 175 runs, setting a mere 172-run target for the second string Afghanistan side.

The Afghans, led by opener Ibrahim Zadran’s patient 76 not out, knocked off the target in 58.2 overs, with seven wickets at hands.

Zadran’s watchful knock was well complemented by captain Nasir Jamal’s 59 not out as the duo added 102 runs for the undefeated fourth wicket stand. Bahir Shah made 20 while Shahidullah scored 15 runs.

Salahuddin Shakil picked up 2-26 while Sanjamul Islam took 1-51 for Bangladesh A.

Qais’s traditional leg-spin and googly was too much to handle for the local batsmen as they crumbled against him without much resistance.

18-year old Qais also scalped 3-80 in the first innings to end the match with 10-145, his third 10-for in the first class cricket.

Resuming the fourth and final day on 170-9, Bangladesh could add just five runs to their overnight total to be bowled out for 175.