Rasooli, Zadran Guide Afghanistan To Series-Clinching Win Over West Indies

(MENAFN- Pajhwok Afghan News) KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan continued its impressive run, defeating the West Indies in the second T20I at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

After winning the toss, the West Indies opted to field first. Afghanistan lost openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (1) and Ibrahim Zadran (22) early, but a strong 115-run partnership for the third wicket between Darwish Rasooli (68) and Sediqullah Atal (53) stabilized the innings.

Azmatullah Omarzai added late momentum with an unbeaten 26 off 13 balls, guiding Afghanistan to a competitive total of 189 for 4 in their allotted 20 overs, according to Afghanistan Cricket Boards.

In reply, Afghanistan's bowlers reduced the visitors to 38 for 3 inside eight overs. However, Brandon King (50) and Shimron Hetmyer (46) revived the chase with a brisk 68-run stand off 33 deliveries.

Fazal Haq Farooqi broke the partnership, dismissing Hetmyer, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman turned the match decisively in Afghanistan's favor.

Mujeeb claimed a hat-trick, becoming the third Afghan bowler after Rashid Khan and Karim Janat to achieve the feat in T20 Internationals.

Mujeeb finished with figures of 4 for 21 and was named Player of the Match. He was well supported by Azmatullah Omarzai (2/20), Fazal Haq Farooqi (2/28), and Rashid Khan (1/19) as Afghanistan restricted the West Indies to secure the win.

Having won the first two matches, Afghanistan will face the West Indies in the third and final T20I of the series on Thursday.

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