Nangarhar Leopards bowed out of the Gulbahar Afghanistan Premier League (APL) T20, powered by Fogg, invested and promoted by Snixer Sports in association with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), with a crushing defeat in the semi-final at the hands of Balkh Legends. It was a see-saw tournament for Nangarhar Leopards, who made it through to the semi-final but weren’t able to play to potential.
 
“We could have won a couple of more matches in the league phase. That’s how it goes. I think the team gelled well. Ben (Cutting) took the responsibility to lead the team,” Nangarhar Leopards coach Venkatesh Prasad told the media after the 171-run defeat. It was a day when their bowling plans failed, a department that has largely performed for them through the tournament.
 
Prasad though is impressed by the fast bowling talent in Afghanistan. “Naveen (ul-Haq) is one bowler who improved from game to game. I knew there was a lot of talent and they’ve shown it here. The other good thing is, most fast bowlers here can bowl very good yorkers which I’ve not seen from many other bowlers outside Afghanistan. If they continue playing in this format with the other overseas players, they will take their game to the next level,” Prasad said.  
 
Prasad was also upbeat about Afghanistan’s recent growth in international cricket. “We saw them play in the Asia Cup. They beat Sri Lanka, almost beat India. That shows that there is talent, hunger to perform. That shows that they are willing to take the game to the next level. This platform, which has been provided by the Afghanistan Cricket Board, will really help them take their game to the next level. I would probably give them three to five years, where they start beating good teams,” he said.
 
Mirwais Ashraf, the Balkh Legends bowler, said the tournament has been crucial for Afghanistan cricket. “It has been a very good experience for us and all the youngsters, playing with big names. They’ve learnt some good things from the international cricketers, exchange experiences with Chris Gayle, Mohammad Nabi and Ryan ten Doeschate,” he said.