AFG vs WI 1st T20I: Afghanistan defeated West Indies by 38 runs during the first T20I on Monday. Ibrahim Zadran’s (87* off 56 balls) and Darwish Rasooli’s (84 off 59) had helped Afghanistan post a mammoth target of 181/3 on a spin-friendly pitch.
It was a mammoth target for the West Indies, who were rattled by Afghanistan's formidable spin attack. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid Khan, and Noor Ahmad took six wickets amongst them and piled pressure on the West Indies in their chase.
Afghanistan too got huge blows as they lost two wickets quickly. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed on a runout on the first ball as he fell short of Gukesh Motie’s direct hit at the non-striker's end. Sediqullah Atal got out as he smashed the ball directly towards Brandon King, who took a stunning catch.
When Rasooli came out to bat, they were reeling at 19/2. The duo stitched a brilliant partnership of 162 runs off 106 balls and helped the team post a target of 181/3. Jayden Seales was the pick among the West Indies bowlers as he registered figures of 1/30 in the 4 overs that he bowled, whereas Matthew Forde had a forgetful outing as he gave away 51 runs.
During the second innings, West Indies got a huge blow as openers Brandon King (4 off 4) and Evin Lewis (4 off 11) fell early. They then were reeling at 50/5 as Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/29) and captain Rashid Khan (2/19) rattled their batting attack.
Quenton Sampson (30 off 24) and Matthew Forde (25 off 21) did put up a fight as they stitched a partnership of 45 runs for the sixth wicket. But Ziaur Rahman Sharifi (3/36) and Noor Ahmad (2/34) made sure that the partnership didn't last long.
West Indies were skittled out for 143/9, and thus Afghanistan won by 38 runs. Darwish Rasooli won the Player of the Match award for his brilliant knock of 84 runs off 54 balls. Both teams will next face each other on Wednesday for the second T20I.