Zadran, Rasooli Propel Afghanistan to Dominant Victory Over West Indies

Afghanistan showcased an impressive performance, defeating the West Indies by 38 runs in a T20I match in Dubai. The victory was marked by key contributions from Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli, who played exceptional innings to propel Afghanistan to a formidable total.

Zadran and Rasooli Drive Afghanistan’s Innings

Afghanistan scored 181 runs for 3 wickets. Ibrahim Zadran remained unbeaten at 87 off 56 balls, while Darwish Rasooli contributed 84 runs. Both players formed a critical partnership, scoring 162 runs for the third wicket.

This partnership proved essential after Afghanistan faced early setbacks, losing two wickets quickly. Zadran stated that their total exceeded their initial target by approximately 20 runs. This score set a challenging benchmark for West Indies, who struggled against Afghanistan’s spin bowling.

Early Wickets and Recovery

• Rahmanullah Gurbaz was run out on the first ball of the innings.
• Sediqullah Atal followed soon after, caught by Brandon King at slip.
• At 19 for 2, Zadran and Rasooli steadied the innings.

Zadran’s scoring was characterized by precise strokes, while Rasooli employed more aggressive cross-batted shots. His standout moment came in the 15th over, where he hit Khary Pierre for multiple boundaries, injecting momentum back into the innings.

West Indies’ Struggle with Spin

The West Indies’ response was hampered by Afghanistan’s effective spin attack. Ziaur Rahman and Rashid Khan were instrumental in dismantling the West Indies batting lineup.

Bowling Highlights

• Ziaur Rahman took 3 wickets for 36 runs.
• Rashid Khan bowled economically, conceding just 19 runs while claiming 2 wickets.
• Mujeeb Ur Rahman contributed with an early wicket.

West Indies’ innings concluded at 143 for 9, with Quentin Sampson’s 30 runs being the highest score. The team’s chase faltered, particularly after losing recurring wickets, ultimately succumbing to Afghanistan’s dominant bowling strategy.

The match not only showcased Afghanistan’s rising cricketing prowess but also positioned them favorably ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. This victory reflects their capability to compete at the highest level in international cricket.