Twitter erupts as Shahid Afridi's side wins a nail-biting thriller

The Panthers didn’t get off to a great start as Mohammad Naveed got rid of Mohammad Shahzad in the very first over. Ihsanullah Janat and Cameron Delport perished in quick succession as well. Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell prey to Karim Sadiq. Waqar Salamkheil nipped out Samiullah Shenwari and Shahid Afridi in the 10th over to reduce the Panthers to 69/6 in 9.5 overs.

At the other end, Sikandar Raza put his head down and scored 51 runs from 42 deliveries with the help of five boundaries. He was dismissed by Naveed in the 18th over, but the knock was good enough to take Paktia to a respectable score of 127 in 18.2 overs. Isuru Udana contributed with a valuable 23 at a run-a-ball and supported Raza with a 54-run partnership.

Laurie Evans mind-boggling innings leads Zwanans victory

Laurie Evans, Player of the Match: I have not really played in wickets like that. It was a brilliant wicket to bat on. It was difficult for the bowlers, they struggled with the dew. We have got a lovely dressing room;
really happy with the win. On good wickets, in this tournament, any score will be chasable. I just kept saying to the guys, 'give yourself a couple of balls, get used to the wicket and just keep hitting straight'. We have got some real good players there. It's brilliant to be here.

Laurie Evans trying his best to take his team home

16.2 overs Sharafuddin Ashraf to Laurie Evans, SIX, fifty for Laurie Evans! Gets there with a six. Another shortish ball, Evans stays deep in his crease and with a crouched stance, he muscles the pull over deep mid-wicket

16.2 overs Sharafuddin Ashraf to Laurie Evans, wide, tries to bowl a quick short ball, but errs in line. Evans fails to make contact, but that's been called as a wide

Paktia Panthers set a target of 219 runs for Kabul Zwanan

36 off the last two overs and Paktia Panthers finish on 218. Captain Mohammad Shahzad and Ihsanullah Janat set the tone upfront going after the Kabul bowlers. The skipper was the aggressor and the duo put on 101 for the opening stand. Zahir Shehzad removed both the openers within a span of three balls.
However, Cameron Delport and Sikandar Raza kept the scoreboard ticking. Rashid Khan did bowl a tight spell, but the Panthers tackled him smartly by not gifting him wickets. In the end, Raza went berserk and took his team to an above-par score. Dew will play a huge role in the second innings. How will Kabul go about in their chase?

Sikandar Raza smashing the bowlers all around the park

18.2 overs Ali Khan to Raza, SIX, back of a length delivery, Raza is expecting that. Raza slightly moves leg-side and swings his bat hard to pummel the pull over wide long-on. Back-to-back sixes

18.1 overs Ali Khan to Raza, SIX, fifty for Sikandar Raza! A stunning shot to get there. Shortish ball, Raza stands tall and flat-bats it over the bowler's head. The sightscreen takes the brunt. Removes his helmet and raises his bat does Raza

Captain Mohammad Shahzad departs after impressive knock

9.4 overs Zahir Shehzad to Mohammad Shahzad, out Bowled!! Double strike from Zahir! This is a massive one for Kabul because Shahzad was going bonkers. This wicket could slow things a bit.
Was the drifter from Zahir and Shahzad got a thick inside edge on the drive. Chopped it onto the stumps. End of a highly entertaining innings. Mohammad Shahzad b Zahir Shehzad 67(39) [4s-7 6s-5]

Mohammad Shahzad brings up his fifty in style

8.4 overs Fareed Ahmad to Mohammad Shahzad, SIX, Shahzad reaches his 50 in style! When he clicks, it's unabashed entertainment. Gets a half volley on the pads and flicks it sweetly over deep backward square leg. Such timing to clear the ropes with ease

8.3 overs Fareed Ahmad to Ihsanullah, 1 run, direct hit would have got Janat! The throw misses and he survives. Was very full and on the stumps, dug out towards mid-wicket for a single. Was a risky run and Shahzad's stutter didn't help Janat either

Ihsanullah Janat smashes Fareed Ahmad out of the park

6.3 overs Fareed Ahmad to Ihsanullah, SIX, that's gone out of the stadium! What a mighty blow from Janat! Showing that it's not all about Mohammad Shahzad tonight. Was a short ball and he got inside the
line before launching the pull over deep backward square leg. Made such sweet contact that it landed over the roof and rolled away out of the park. New balls please!

Playing XIs of the first game of APL 2018

Mohammad Shahzad: (On a good score) We will try to get 170-plus as we know that this is a good batting track. We have some firepower in the batting and some good domestic talents. (On the pitch) Looks a good pitch in Sharjah, with a bit of grass on it which is new but generally, the tracks are good to bat on here. I've always believed in playing my natural game and will tell my teammates also to do the same.

Rashid Khan: (On the APL finally starting) Yes, it's a historic moment for us. We are going to bowl first, wicket won't change much but there will be dew later on. That will be tough on the bowlers, so we want to chase. (On what a chaseable target is) We don't know right now because the wickets are fresh and the Sharjah tracks do allow runs. Need to bowl well and see what target they give us. I think most of the team are young and I have led them in domestic cricket. Hopefully they perform well and get the chance to go ahead.