In May 1986, with full Soviet backing, Karmal was removed and was replaced with the burly Pakhtun head of Afghan intelligence and a champion of national reconciliation, Dr Mohammad Najibullah.

Although they lost two key wickets (Asghar Afghan and Mohammad Nabi) in the 45th over, Najibullah fared well towards the end and played a pivotal part in Afghanistan recording 53 runs in the last ...