AOPNEWS | January 30, 2016
Cricket: U19 team loses to Sri Lanka; A team defeats Zimbabwe
Afghanistan’s U19 (Under 19) team registered their second loss at the ICC (International Cricket Council) U19 World Cup today in Bangladesh when they lost to Sri Lanka by 33 runs. Sri Lanka won the coin toss and chose to bat first. They scored 184 runs (all out; 48.1 overs; 185 minutes). Afghanistan could not reach the 185 target from 50 overs. They only scored 151 runs (all out; 44.5 overs; 145 minutes).
In India, Afghanistan’s A team did much better as they beat Zimbabwe by 5 wickets. Afghanistan won the coin toss but chose to field. Zimbabwe scored 269 runs (7 wickets; 50 overs). Afghanistan was able to reach the 270 target; they scored 271 runs (5 wickets; 48.5 overs). Nasir Jamal scored 73 runs, followed by Rahmat Shah with 54 and Imrant Janat with 53. Nasir Jamal was awarded with player of the match honors for his high contributions of runs for the Afghan team.
Afghan Kung Fu martial artists finish second
Meanwhile in Iran, Afghanistan won silver in the Kung Fu To’a portion of the Asian Kung Fu Championship, which wrapped up today; the event had started on January 25th. Iran took first place and Pakistan came in third. Kung Fu To’a is a martial art developed by Iranian grand master Ibrahim Mirzaei in the 1960s. Kung Fu To’a is made of up the Chinese terms Kung (hard work) and Fu (path) as well as To’a (thou) derived from Farsi.
Afghan female Kung Fu martial artists also came in second in the continental sporting event. Iran came in first, and Mongolia came in third.
A total of 22 countries participated in the Asian Kung Fu Championship, which was held in the western Iranian city of Qasr-e Shirin. Besides, host country Iran and Afghanistan, some other countries that participated were Tajikistan, Pakistan, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Lebanon.
Afghan female cyclists recommend for Nobel Peace Prize
Finally, in Italy, over 100 members of parliament have put forth a petition recommending that members of Afghanistan’s women cycling team be given the Nobel Peace Prize. The petition was sent to the Norwegian Noble Committee in Oslo yesterday. The women are being recognized for their bravery and courage to take up the sport despite intense pressure from conservatives in the country who don’t want to see women participating in such sports.