Zurich Lions Win as Our Afghani Trio Roars Loudest in Derby Against Swiss Afghan CC

Snehil Joshi
Jun 16
2 min read

On a bright Sunday at Kreuzzleg Wettingen, Zurich Lions CC made a statement in the Pickwick Cup T20 Elite Division, decimating Swiss Afghan CC by 7 wickets in a one-sided affair. The match had one undeniable star Osama while lions were bowling, who ripped through the Afghan batting with a spectacular five-wicket haul. And then the duo of Najeeba & Habiba in chase.

First Innings – Osama goes berserk, Swiss Afghan CC crumble

It was billed as a battle between Afghan bloodlines, and from ball one, Osama Zaman made sure his name echoed the loudest. With the new ball in hand and thump in his chest, Osama unleashed mayhem on the Swiss Afghan top order.

He didn’t warm up. He detonated opposition from this spell of 3.3 overs, 1 maiden, 12 runs, 5 wickets.

Swiss Afghan’s innings was a stop-start mess. After an early jolt at 3/1, they never recovered. Numan Ahmadzai threw hands early for a flashy 4, while skipper Asadullah lasted just three balls. It was only Mohibullah Khan Kakar who tried to hold it all together with a gritty 33 off 32, but wickets kept tumbling like dominos.

Lower down the order, Raihanullah (18 off 9) and Musa Ahmadzai (16 off 11)* swung their bats and gave the scoreboard a bit of late life. But with Osama in beast mode and Kanishk (4-0-27-2) and Ashwin (3-0-26-2) playing supporting roles, the Swiss Afghan innings barely got breathing space.

They folded for 104 in 18.3 overs a total that felt 30 short, if not more.

Second Innings – Najeeba brings out the fireworks, Habiba plays supporting role

The chase wasn’t without hiccups. Ashwin nicked off early. Captain Kanishk got out to a top catch. At 16 for 2, Swiss Afghan sniffed an opening.

But Najeeba slammed that window shut with a bat made of fire. He started with a punch down the ground, followed it up with a flick, then a cover drive and suddenly, it was raining boundaries. The man was in cruise control. Smooth hands, fast feet, and pure power. His 59 off 40 balls* was everything a T20 chase dreams of - crisp, confident, clinical.

Partnering him was fellow Afghan Habiba, who soaked in the pressure and rotated strike like a seasoned pro. His 26 off 26* was a lesson in composure. No unnecessary risks, no panic just ice in the veins and singles in the scorebook and in between a massive six.

Together, they stitched an 85-run unbroken stand and took Lions home in 14.2 overs, barely breaking a sweat.

The Afghan Lions roar loud

It was Zurich Lions’ Afghani trio - Osama, Najeeba, and Habiba who turned it into a backyard bash. One ruled with the ball, the others with the bat. This wasn’t just a win it was a clinical take down by a well-drilled unit with our Afghan firepower.