ACB XI team wins WAK Provincial Grade I Tournament 2025

The ACB XI team delivered an outstanding all-around performance in the final to defeat the Kabul A team by 115 runs and clinch the 16th edition of the Wazir Mohammad Akbar Khan Provincial Grade I Tournament 2025.

Choosing to bat first, ACB XI posted a total of 255/10 runs in their first innings. Top-order batter Usman Sadaat (70) and middle-order batter Shir Khan Bahadar (70) both scored half-centuries, while all-rounder Farmanullah Safi contributed a crucial 41 runs.

For the Kabul A provincial team, Kamil Kakar (3/39), the skipper Tariq Stanikzai (3/42), and Mohammad Dawood (3/57) were the standout bowlers.

Backing up their solid batting effort, the ACB XI team showcased exceptional bowling in the second innings, as they bundled the Kabul A team out for just 140 runs. This allowed ACB XI to secure victory by 115 runs and claim the title of the Wazir Mohammad Akbar Khan Provincial Grade I Tournament 2025. Mohammadullah Logari, a slow left-arm spinner, returned with remarkable bowling figures of 5 wickets for 18 runs and was named the Player of the Match.

Usman Sadaat’s outstanding tournament performance earned him the title of Best Batter, as he scored 381 runs at an astonishing average of 190.50. He was also recognized as the Emerging Cricketer of the Tournament.

In addition, young right-arm leg spinner Arab Momand from Kabul A was named the Best Bowler of the event, who took 14 wickets in 4 innings. Tariq Stanikzai, the captain of the Kabul A team, was honored as the Best Player of the Tournament for his impressive all-around display by scoring 317 runs and claiming 14 wickets to lead his team to the final.

The tournament featured 12 provincial teams and was held across four venues in Kandahar and Nangarhar provinces, with the knockout stages taking place in Nangarhar. The 12 participating teams were divided into two groups of six teams, from which the top two teams from each group advanced to the semifinals. ACB XI progressed to the final after defeating Khost A in the first semifinal, while Kabul A went past the ACB XI (II) in the second semifinal.

The Wazir Mohammad Akbar Khan Provincial Grade I Tournament 2025 marks the second event organised by the domestic cricket department this year, with a regional three-day event scheduled to follow in April.