Afghanistan continued their remarkable form in T20 cricket with a emphatic display against West Indies. In the recent match between AFG vs WI, the addition of fifties by Darwish Rasooli and Sediqullah Atal, accompanied by an astonishing hat trick by Mujeeb Ur Rahman, helped Afghanistan achieve an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series of the T20I series.
AFG vs WI: Afghanistan Secure Third Consecutive T20 International Series Victory
This is Afghanistan’s third successive T20I series win, which goes on to show their increasing reliability in the format. They will face each other once again on Thursday for the final match of the series. This is Afghanistan’s final T20I match prior to the T20 World Cup.
Rasooli and Atal Stabilize Afghanistan’s Innings
Bowling first for AFG vs WI, Afghanistan recovered well after losing both openers within the power play. Darwish Rasooli, continuing his impeccable form, yet again played a dominant inning, with Sediqullah Atal being a stabilizing factor on the other side.
The pair added a vital 115-run third-wicket partnership, giving their Afghan side enough time to build a respectable score on this turning track.
Rasooli Registers Third Successive T20I Fifty
Rasooli adopted a strong game plan, cutting loose with sharp square shots, forceful steering down the leg side with his cutting shots, and powerful pull shots down the leg side.
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Taking advantage of a couple of fielding errors, Rasooli reached his half-century in only 22 deliveries, his third successive T20I fifty. Atal performed the role of an anchor, striking efficiently and allowing Rasooli to play aggressively in the middle overs.
Late Flourish Pushes Afghanistan to 189/4
Rasooli and Atal both were dismissed in the 17th and 18th overs, but Afghanistan enjoyed yet another impressive start. With Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai intact, West Indies players received no respite.
Omarzai’s presence in the final over brought fireworks as he blasted two consecutive sixes to take Afghanistan’s score to 189 for 4. West Indies were left chasing 190 runs.
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AFG vs WI: West Indies’ Chase Stalls Early
The West Indies started their innings in a stuttering manner. Alick Athanaze, their promoted opener, was run out in the third over, and some excellent bowling by Fazalhaq Farooqi restricted them to only 29 runs in the powerplay overs.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s Hat-Trick Turns the Match
A major turning point in the AFG vs WI match came through Mujeeb Ur Rahman, when he bowled a magical spell. He got the wickets of Evin Lewis and Johnson Charles with his turning balls, putting pressure on West Indies at 38 for 3.
Despite this counterattack by Shimron Hetmyer, who struck 46 in just 17 deliveries, featuring six massive sixes, Afghanistan retained control over the match. Farooqi dismissed Hetmyer in the 14th over, which led to Mujeeb’s heroics to return to the match.
Historical Hat-Trick Secures Afghanistan’s Suprem
West Indies were left requiring 68 runs in five overs, and Mujeeb struck gold. Brandon King, who was on a half-century, mis-timed a hat-trick ball to long-on. Mujeeb celebrated his hat-trick and is only the third Afghan bowler to do so in a T20 International, following Rashid Khan and Karim Janat.
After two more deliveries, a newbie, Quentin Sampson, was deceived by a googly, which gave Mujeeb his fourth wicket. Mujeeb ended the innings with impressive figures of 4-21.
West Indies Collapse as Afghanistan Bowl Them Out for 150
The lower order could not offer much resistance, with West Indies losing their last five wickets for a mere 27 runs. They finally lost all their wickets to be bowled out for 150, handing Afghanistan a resounding win in the AFG vs WI match.
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AFG vs WI Match Preview
Since the series has already been secured, Afghanistan will play for the complete series win in the final match. West Indies will play for the consolation win before their tour in South Africa.
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