Afghanistan Triumphs Over West Indies in T20 Match
In a thrilling T20 match in Dubai, Afghanistan secured a decisive 39-run victory over the West Indies, led by the exceptional performance of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who achieved a remarkable hat trick. As Afghanistan gears up for next month’s T20 World Cup, this win allowed them to clinch the series after previously defeating the West Indies by 38 runs.
Match Highlights
Batting first after the West Indies elected to field, Afghanistan posted a formidable total of 189 runs for the loss of four wickets. Darwish Rasooli continued his impressive form with a standout innings of 68 runs off 39 balls, while Sediqullah Atal contributed with a solid 53. The two batsmen formed a significant partnership, adding 115 runs, which laid the groundwork for their team’s score.
Despite a rocky start—losing both openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran early in the game—Rasooli and Atal proved effective against both pace and spin, delivering a dominant performance. Rasooli’s dismissal came in the 18th over, attempting a catch that ended in Alick Athanaze’s grasp at mid-off, while Atal was dismissed by Matthew Forde’s bowling in the latter overs.
West Indies’ Struggles
In response, the West Indies struggled and eventually succumbed to being bowled out for just 150 runs in 18.5 overs. Mujeeb’s exceptional bowling figures of 4 wickets for 21 runs were crucial; he first claimed the leg before wicket of Evin Lewis and then sent Johnson Charles packing on his next delivery. His hat trick was sealed when he took out captain Brandon King, who top-scored with 50 runs, along with Quentin Sampson, both with clean bowled dismissals.
Amidst the West Indies’ batting attempts, Shimron Hetmyer provided a momentary spark with a rapid 46 runs off only 17 balls, hitting six sixes before his dismissal. Fast bowler Azmatullah Omarzai and Fazalhaq Farooqi also made key contributions with the ball, claiming 2 wickets each, while Farooqi ended the contest by dismissing the last batsman Ramon Simmonds with seven balls to spare.
Mujeeb’s Reflection
Reflecting on his successful performance, Mujeeb expressed, “The plan was to keep it simple and hit the stumps. I didn’t know I was on a hat trick and was just looking to hit the right areas. This win will give us more energy as we prepare for the World Cup.”
The series will conclude with one final match on Thursday, providing both teams a last opportunity to adjust their squads ahead of the upcoming World Cup. The earlier setbacks in fielding for the West Indies have been a point of focus, indicating areas of improvement as they look to enhance their performance in future games.
