An Afghanistan-Pakistan cycling event on Thursday saw the Afghanistan team scoop the top four positions.

The Afghan cyclists returned home after taking part in the 167km race from Lahore city to Sahiwal district in Pakistan.

Ahmad Mirzaie came in first, Hanif Shahristani second, Sayed Ali Asghar third and Rohullah Nazari fourth.

Mirzaie said: “The race was good and I was able to take first place.”

Meanwhile, Shahristani said cyclists in the country train at the own expense and get very little assistance.

“We participated in the competition with few resources and paid our own expenses but still, fortunately, we were placed from first to fourth.”

Asghar said: “We face several challenges like parallel federations, the lack of proper venues to train but yet the boys are enthusiastic and we brought home all the trophies from Pakistan,” said Sayed Ali Asghar.

A total of 72 cyclists took part – with only six from Afghanistan.