Afghanistan topples West Indies in warm-up clash

BENGALURU, India (CMC):

Another dominant display with first, bat, then ball, saw Afghanistan secure a comprehensive 23-run victory over the West Indies in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup warm-up fixture at the BCCI Centre of Excellence yesterday.

Asked to bat first, both aggression and clear tactical intent defined Afghanistan’s innings as the explosive opening duo of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who scored 43, and Ibrahim Zadran set the tone, amassing 90 runs in a blistering 8.5-over stand.

The momentum barely wavered as Zadran, after a fluent 50, and later contributors Darwish Rasooli with 27 and Azmatullah Omarzai 35, all chose to retire out, in a strategic move to give the middle order crucial time in the middle before the real action gets going in the tournament.

Though Roston Chase removed Sediqullah Atal for 12, Afghanistan’s depth ensured a formidable total of 182-6 was on the cards.

The West Indian reply never found its footing against a relentless Afghan attack. Seamer Azmatullah Omarzai struck early to remove captain Shai Hope for five, setting a tone of dominance.

Afghanistan’s bowlers applied unyielding pressure, reducing the visitors to a precarious 54-5 within the first eight overs.

The crucial wicket of the set batter Rovman Powell, who scored 32 off 27, claimed by the experienced Mohammad Nabi, effectively snuffed out any realistic hope of a revival.

A spirited cameo from Matthew Forde, who smashed an unbeaten 52 from just 26 balls, and Jason Holder’s 25 not out provided some respectability to the total. However, the target proved insurmountable, with the West Indies finishing at 159-7.

Omarzai shone as the premier all-rounder, contributing a rapid 35 with the bat and taking two key wickets.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman also claimed two scalps, while Fazalhaq Farooqi, Ziaur Rahman, and Nabi each chipped in with a wicket.