The first T20I between India and Afghanistan, held at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali, saw India emerge victorious by a comfortable margin of 6 wickets. The chilly January evening witnessed a thrilling contest, with both teams showcasing their strengths and battling it out until the final over.
Afghanistan’s Determined Batting
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Afghanistan faced a disciplined Indian bowling attack. Despite losing early wickets, Azmatullah Omarzai (29) and Mohammad Nabi (42) forged a crucial partnership, guiding the team to a respectable total of 158-5. Najibullah Zadran (19*) and Karim Janat (9*) added valuable late runs, ensuring a competitive target for Ind.
India’s Steady Chase
The Indian chase began with a shocking turn of events, as captain Rohit Sharma was run out for a duck in the very first over. However, Shubman Gill (23) and Tilak Varma (26) steadied the innings before departing in their respective 20s. Jitesh Sharma (31) and Shivam Dube (60*) then took control, putting together a solid partnership that kept Ind in the hunt. While Jitesh fell trying to accelerate, Dube remained unbeaten, smashing the winning runs with a powerful six in the final over.
Key Players and Performances
- Shivam Dube: The Player of the Match award rightfully went to Dube, who anchored the Ind chase with his aggressive batting. His unbeaten 60, studded with five sixes, proved to be the difference between the two sides.
- Mukesh Kumar: The young pacer impressed with his economical bowling, picking up two wickets and conceding just 33 runs in his four overs. His accurate line and length put pressure on the Afghan batsmen early on.
- Mohammad Nabi: While unable to guide his team to victory, Nabi’s all-round performance was commendable. He scored a crucial 42 with the bat and even picked up a wicket with his economical spin bowling.
Looking Ahead
With a 1-0 lead in the series, Ind will head into the second T20I in Indore with confidence. Afghanistan, on the other hand, will need to improve their batting and fielding to level the series. The remaining two matches promise to be equally exciting, with both teams determined to prove their mettle in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup later this year.
Post-match Reactions
Shivam Dube (Player of the Match): “It was extremely cold, but I enjoyed playing on this surface. There was some pressure, but I just focused on my game and hitting big sixes.”
Rohit Sharma (India Captain): “Many positives from this game, particularly with the ball. Our spinners bowled exceptionally well, and the seamers were equally effective. We want to push ourselves in areas where we are slightly uncomfortable.
Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan Captain): “We were behind by 30-40 runs. We lost wickets during the powerplay, which put us under pressure. “We need to improve our fielding and batting in the next game.”
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