In the first match of a three-game T20 series, India secured a convincing six-wicket victory against Afghanistan. Shivam Dube emerged as the star player, contributing significantly with both bat and ball. He scored an impressive 60 not out from 40 balls, marking his second T20 half-century. Earlier in the match, Dube had bowled two overs, claiming one wicket for just nine runs.
Dube’s magical spell helps India curtail Afghanistan’s inning
Afghanistan, batting first, faced a steady start as openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran added 50 runs in 48 balls. However, their progress was halted by left-arm spinner Axar Patel, who dismissed Gurbaz in the eighth over.
Dube further dented Afghanistan’s innings by sending skipper Zadran back to the pavilion for 25 runs. Despite a shaky phase, Azmatullah Omarzai’s partnership with veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi pushed Afghanistan past the 100-run mark. Nabi top-scored with a brisk 42 runs off 27 balls.
Chasing a target of 159, India faced an early setback as Rohit Sharma, returning to T20 after 14 months, was run out for a two-ball duck. Shubman Gill contributed 23 runs off 12 balls but was stumped off Mujeeb ur Rahman, leaving India at 28-2. The team had to rebuild, and the partnership between Tilak Varma and Dube for the third wicket added crucial runs. However, Varma’s dismissal in the ninth over brought a temporary pause to India’s chase.
Dube fires home a fifty on return to International cricket
Dube then took charge, reaching his half-century off 38 balls and ultimately finishing with an unbeaten 60. Jitesh Sharma’s cameo of 31 off 20 balls further propelled India ahead of the required run rate. The second half of India’s innings showcased a confident and controlled approach, ensuring that the target was achieved comfortably.
Despite the absence of their wrist spinner Rashid Khan, Afghanistan fought hard, with Nabi and Najibullah Zadran contributing valuable runs. However, India’s well-paced innings and Dube’s standout performance proved to be the difference. This match marked Afghanistan’s first bilateral T20 series against India on Indian soil.
