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Hong Kong romped to an impressively comprehensive eight-wicket win over Afghanistan in the final of the ACC Under-19 Elite Cup to book a spot at the next U-19 World Cup.

It brought Afghanistan cricket back down to earth after all the success for both the senior and U-19 side in recent weeks. They were supported by a vocal crowd, but Hong Kong proved too efficient in all areas of the game as they comfortably chased down 216 with three overs to spare.

James Atkinson, the captain, crunched 94 from 114 balls while Nizakat Khan made an unbeaten 46. Shakeel Haq also played his part with 51 to ensure a potentially testing target was passed with ease in a tournament where the scoring has been on the low side. Atkinson led from the front before falling 36 runs from victory and his innings earned the Man-of-the-Match award.

Afghanistan had been put on the back foot early as they slumped to 21 for 4 in the seventh over and did exceptionally well to reach 215. Asghar Hotak (70) and Zard Ali (68) held the middle order together to keep them in the contest, but there was to be no fairytale finish this time.

Sierra Leone continue to surprise opponents and followers of the Africa Under-19 Championship in topping the table. After the fifth day they are joint-first with Namibia on eight points, but with a superior net run-rate, thanks to another win over Zambia by 85 runs. Chasing 177 Zambia were skittled for 91 with Ibrahim Kabia picking up 3 for 8. Elsewhere, Namibia thrashed Nigeria by ten wickets while Kenya – who are in a disappointing fourth position – beat Tanzania by 19 runs. Uganda pulled off a thrilling one-wicket win over Botswana when they rather underestimated their target of 114, losing nine wickets – three of them to Waseem Tajbhai. Their last pair saw them across the line, however, with overs (if not nerves) to spare.

---- Points table ----
1. Sierra Leone (8 points, NRR: 1.03)
2. Namibia (8, 0.87)
3. Uganda (6, -0.56)
4. Kenya (6, 0.10)
5. Zambia (4, -0.12)
6. Botswana (4, -0.44)
7. Tanzania (2, -0.39)
8. Nigeria (0, -2.02)

Sarah Fane, chairman of Afghan Connection, meets Matthew Fleming to unveil new cricket pitches in a remote region of Afghanistan

Two Britons, an Afghan and a Swede drive 12 hours to and from a school in Andarab to deliver cricket equipment to the kids. It has been an amazing feat and journey.

We set out on a stunning dawn in Kabul with clear skies and a long road ahead. Ali, our driver, is a splendid character and drove me all around Afghanistan last year. Rotund and jolly and sporting a moustache and a heart warming smile, he is larger than life and a great companion.
We head up towards the Salang (yet again for me) and stop half way up by the river for a picnic breakfast provided by Jorgen, the Swedish Programme Director for SCA. Wonderful breakfast looking up to the snows of the Hindu Kush. Most perfect morning to see the views from the top of the pass stretching for miles along the spines and great for Matthew Fleming to have a first taste of Afghanistan beyond Kabul.

The tunnel seemed longer than ever, with visibility down to a few feet in the three kilometres of Stygian darkness, thick with pollution and choking fumes.

On up towards the north for four hours and then off the tarmac and onto the off-road part of the trip. I didn’t recognise the landscape...there has been so much rain and my last visit was during a drought. The views are so beautiful: valleys stretching for miles, straddling the river and everything is so green. Poppies and wild flowers everywhere, farmers in the fields and intricate networks of irrigation channels all full and criss-crossing their way over the land. Huge bands of the Hindu Kush dominate the horizon.

Ahead, we meet a military ISAF convoy travelling painstakingly slowly and looking wholly out of place in this peaceful, timeless scene. Great armoured vehicles with men armed to the hilt surveying the landscape from the turrets. Huge red signs warn against trying to overtake, so we follow this line along the bumpiest of tracks .None of us can remember how far the school is down this track and as the minutes and hours pass we keep expecting it round every corner...but it never comes.

Then, at last, I recognise the local bazaar and see the school and six-and-a-half hours after we leave Kabul, we finally enter the gates to the school.

It is so worthwhile. The school is Sang Boran and is twinned to Eton College. They have 2000 boys and only 10 classrooms and everywhere the children are outside or in tents studying in the heat of the Andarab noon. Afghan Connection has managed to get two donors to build a school for these boys and the workmen and engineers are hard at work on site. We are greeted with a warm welcome form Nasrullah—my favourite teacher - and the headmaster and other staff. They all say how happy they are in the community and the school that the new buildings are going up and at last they will have a proper school. They say that they are amazed that “a lady from another land” has found the means to build them a school.

We visit all the classes outside and see the new cricket pitch funded by MCC well under construction. Then Matthew is introduced as a famous cricketer from England and we start to hand out all the cricket equipment provided by the Fairstead Trust. Hundreds of children crowd around the vehicle as 15 are chosen to try on all the new kit. Matthew puts the stumps in to the hard ground and a space is cleared and he begins a coaching session. Everywhere I look I see children perched on piles of bricks or hanging out of windows or joining the crowd to watch the scene. Everyone is so happy, most of all me.

The boys play on as we are led to lunch in a tiny room overlooking the hills and mountains in this idyllic spot. Have a wonderful lunch all sitting on the carpet eating kebabs and naan with the teachers and watching on my computer, the film of my last visit...which they love.

We say our goodbyes, conscious that with another 6 hours drive ahead of us, we will not reach Kabul before nightfall.

It has been quite a few days for Matthew, who only arrived after 24-hour flight from London yesterday. He played in the Kabul Cup and then travelled to the remotest parts of Afghanistan to touch it with cricket!

As we come back into Kabul, there is a dust storm and the winds sweep across the Shomali plain. The distant hills come alive with light as the lightning strikes to the East. Tiny stalls line the route with little swinging lamps and the streets are alive and full of stall holders selling their wares. A car with a bemused looking goat strapped to the roof overtakes us. Ungainly wedding halls are lit up like great ships in the night and as we drive through this scene of a chaotic evening, which is so vibrant. Ali tells us how it was under the Taliban: no electricity, no music, no thriving businesses, no joy.

But we have seen so much joy today and perhaps we may one day see an Afghan cricketer who heralded from Sang Boran and was inspired by some English cricketer who chanced to call at his school.

Sarah Fane is chairman of the charity Afghan Connection with whom MCC work to provide cricket equipment in Afghanistan. Matthew Fleming is the former Kent and England allrounder now working for MCC.

Additional reporting by Will Luke. For more on Afghanistan’s rise, see their homepage

All photos are copyright Sarah Fane 2009

Bangalore Royal Challengers celebrate their eight-run victory over the Kings XI Punjab. (AFP Photo)

Abhishek Raut celebrates after the Royals won by three wickets. (AFP Photo)

Abhishek Nayar (top) of Mumbai Indians is lifted by teammate Jude Singh after they defeated Kolkata Knight Riders at The Buffalo Park Cricket Stadium in East London on May 1, 2009. Mumbai Indians won by nine runs. (AFP Photo)

Dinesh Karthik plays a shot. (AFP Photo)

Kings XI Punjab players celebrate the wicket of Kolkata Knight Riders' Chris Gayle. (AFP Photo)

Not to be outdone by the Englishmen who played cricket on Mount Everest, Mark Waugh and thirteen other tough Aussies climbed three of the highest mountains in Australia in only three days. They did it to raise money for The Smith Family charity.

The group was split into two teams Middle Order (cricket) and The Super 7 Blues (rugby, because former Wallaby, Michael Brial, was also part of the event) pitted against each other to scale Bimberi, Australian Capital Territory’s highest mountain, Mount Kosciusko and Victoria’s Mount Bogong.

“The last climb really took it out of us, our legs were starting to cramp and the early morning starts were beginning to take their toll,” Waugh said. The group didn’t play a Twenty20 match, like the Everest trekkers did, but Waugh did hit a snow ball on Mount Kosciusko.

KARACHI (Reuters) - Former Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf said on Saturday he had broken his ties with the unofficial Indian Cricket League (ICL) and was available to play for his country again.

(Reuters) - The Chennai Super Kings beat the Delhi Daredevils by 18 runs in their Indian Premier League match at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg on Saturday.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Big hitting from Abhishek Raut guided holders Rajasthan Royals to a three-wicket win over the Deccan Chargers with two balls to spare in their Indian Premier League (IPL) clash in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

Delhi Daredevils team-mates Dirk Nannes and Dave Warner have headlined a host of important contributions by Australians in the Indian Premier League.

Spots in Australia's squad for next month's World Twenty20 in England will be up for grabs when the Aussies take on Pakistan in the fifth ODI in Abu Dhabi on Sunday and a one-off Twenty20 in Dubai next week.

England batsman Ravi Bopara, who leaves to do the national duty after starring for Kings XI Punjab, has described his experience of playing in the Indian Premier League "as one of the best things" he has done in life.

Rajasthan Royals edged past Deccan Chargers by three wickets, with two balls to spare, in a closely contested Indian Premier League match at St George's Park at Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

Statistical highlights of the IPL match between Deccan Chargers and Rajasthan Royals. Yusuf is the fourth batsman to amass 600 runs in the IPL, joining Gilchrist (646), Suresh Raina (621) and Shanu Marsh (616).

Prolific batsman Mohammad Yousuf on Saturday said he has ended his association with the rebel Indian Cricket League as he wants to play for the Pakistan cricket team again. Yousuf said he resigned last month.

Australia's Brad Hodge's brisk 70 provided hope of better times for Kolkata Knight Riders as they put on a competitive 153 for 3 against Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League match in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.

Spinner Jakati stars in Chennai's victory