अफगानिस्तान vs वेस्ट इंडीज, पहला टी20 Commentary, Live Updates

That draws the curtains on this contest. A fine win for Afghanistan as they take an early lead in this series. The action reignites quickly with the second T20I scheduled for Wednesday, January 21st at 2.30 pm GMT, so be sure to tune in early for the pre-match build-up. Until then, it’s goodbye and cheers from the commentary box!

Rashid Khan, the skipper of Afghanistan, says that they have quality bowling and the plan was to put a good score and defend it. Adds that it is always a proud moment to captain the national team. Ends bys aying that they need to find the best combination for the World Cup.

Brandon King, the skipper of West Indies, says that it is disappointing to lose but they had a few learnings to take from it. Adds that they need to improve on their batting and Afghanistan have quality spinners. He says that they will look to bounce back and win the next game.

Darwish Rasooli is the Player of the Match for his exceptional knock of 84 runs! He says that the plan was simple and the conversation with Ibrahim Zadran was to bat deep. Adds that he tried to play his natural game, which worked for him. Ends by saying that he will keep on improving.

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Earlier in the game, after a disastrous start that saw a first-ball run-out and the score slipping to 19/2, Afghanistan staged a sensational recovery to post a commanding 181/3. The innings was defined by a colossal, match-turning 162-run stand for the third wicket between Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli, who blended steady accumulation with late aggression. While the West Indies began with intensity, they lost control in the field and with the ball, leaking 53 runs in the final five overs as the Afghan duo capitalized on loose deliveries.

On the other hand, Afghanistan were clinical with the ball. They struck consistently, ensuring no partnership could threaten the total. Ziaur Rahman picked three crucial wickets to break the back of the West Indies batting lineup. He was brilliantly supported by the spin trio of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid Khan, and Noor Ahmad, who chipped in with two wickets each. It was a disciplined bowling effort that secured a well-deserved victory for Afghanistan.

A convincing win for Afghanistan! Chasing a target of 182, the West Indies run chase never quite found its rhythm as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Johnson Charles provided a brief spark with a rapid 27 off 16 balls, but his departure in the powerplay exposed the middle order. The hosts found themselves in deep trouble at 57/5 at the halfway mark, leaving them with a mountain to climb, needing 125 runs from the final 10 overs. Although Quentin Sampson and Matthew Forde attempted a late counter-attack with some big hits, the asking rate proved too steep. Noor Ahmad effectively closed out the game in the 18th over, removing both Forde and Gudakesh Motie to end the resistance.

On a length, down leg, Shamar Joseph shuffles across and looks to loft it but misses. Afghanistan beat West Indies by 38 runs!

Nice and full, on leg, Jayden Seales flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Full, on leg, Jayden Seales flicks it over mid-wicket for a brace.

Jayden Seales is the last batter.

OUT! LBW! West Indies are down to their last wicket now. Ziaur Rahman gets his third. On a length, on middle, Khary Pierre looks to flick it but wears it on his pads. A loud appeal and the finger goes up straightaway.

Slower one, outside off, Khary Pierre swings hard but misses.

Much fuller, on leg, Shamar Joseph digs it to mid on for a single.

Too full, on leg, Shamar Joseph digs it to mid on for a single.

Slower one, down leg, Shamar Joseph shuffles across and looks to pull it but misses.

Back of a length, on leg, Shamar Joseph pulls it through mid-wicket for a brace.

Short, on off, Khary Pierre looks to duck under it but gets a blow on his shoulder. The ball rolls towards mid-wicket as the batters collect a leg bye.

On a length, outside off, Khary Pierre looks to slap but gets a bottom edge as the ball rolls towards the left of the keeper.

Much fuller, on off, Khary Pierre pushes it towards deep extra cover for a brace.

Noor Ahmad strikes again. Shamar Joseph is the new batter.

OUT! TIMBER! Noor Ahmad gets his second wicket. Flatter, on off, and it skids through. Gudakesh Motie looks to slog it but misses as the ball rattles over the stumps. Gudakesh Motie walks back into the shed.

Short, on off, Khary Pierre punhes it to cover for a single.

Matthew Forde falls now. Khary Pierre walks in to bat now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Noor Ahmad gets a wicket. Slower one, on middle and leg, Matthew Forde looks to flick it but the ball hits the upper part of his bat. It carries towards mid-wicket. Darwish Rasooli settles under it and completes the catch.

Flatter, on off, Gudakesh Motie punches it to cover for a single. Rahmanullah Gurbaz appeals for a run out. The replays show that Matthew Forde was well in.

SIX MORE! Back-to-back sixes now. Much fuller, on middle, Gudakesh Motie gets low and powers it over deep mid-wicket for yet another six.

SIX! All the way! A full toss, on off, Gudakesh Motie gets down on one knee and clatters it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Slower one, outside off, Matthew Forde swings hard but misses.

Much fuller, on off, Matthew Forde drives it through cover for a brace.

Keeps it full, on off, Gudakesh Motie pushes it to point for a single.

FOUR! Edgy! Short and wide, Gudakesh Motie swings hard but gets a top edge. The ball flies over short third for a boundary.

Keeps it full, outside off, Gudakesh Motie chips it over cover for a brace.

Slower one, outside off, Gudakesh Motie looks to drive it but gets beaten.

Fuller, on off, Gudakesh Motie knocks it down the ground for a single.

Quicker, down leg, Gudakesh Motie looks to heave it but gets beaten on the inside edge.

Too full, on leg, Gudakesh Motie flicks it to square leg.

FOUR! Nicely played! Flatter, on off, Gudakesh Motie stays in his crease and powers it over mid off for a boundary.

Much fuller, on off, Matthew Forde pushes it to cover for a single.

Much fuller, on leg, Gudakesh Motie chips it over mid on for a single.

Wide! Down the leg side, Gudakesh Motie looks to flick it but misses.

Back of a length, on leg, Gudakesh Motie fends it to mid-wicket for a single.

Hard length, on off, Matthew Forde drills it towards long on for a single.

FOUR! Nicely played! A full toss, on leg, Matthew Forde shuffles across and paddles it over short fine leg for a boundary.

Much fuller, on off, Gudakesh Motie pushes it to cover for a single.

Wicket number 6 falls. Gudakesh Motie walks in to bat now.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Ziaur Rahman strikes! Another one bites the dust. Back of a length, outside off, Quentin Sampson swings hard but misses. Gets a faint edge as the ball carries towards Rahmanullah Gurbaz who makes no mistake.

Too full, on off, Quentin Sampson drills it down the ground for a brace.

Much fuller, on off, Quentin Sampson pushes it to cover for a single.

Too full, on off, Quentin Sampson eases it back to the bowler.

SIX! Up and over! Flatter, on middle and leg, Quentin Sampson gets down on one knee and slogs it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Too full, on off, Quentin Sampson leans on and blocks it back.

SIX! All the way! Much fuller, on middle, Quentin Sampson stands tall and plunders it down the ground for a biggie.

Flatter, on leg, Matthew Forde taps it to mid on for a single.

Keeps it full, on off, Matthew Forde taps it to cover for a quick single. The fielder throws it towards the keeper who fails to collect it.

SIX! Up and over! A half tracker, on middle and leg, Matthew Forde gets down on one knee and clatters it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Flatter, on off, Quentin Sampson knocks it down the ground for a single.

Slower one, outside off, Matthew Forde fends it to cover for a single.

Too full, on leg, Quentin Sampson drags it to square leg for a single.

Much fuller, on leg, Matthew Forde flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Too full, on off, Quentin Sampson blocks it to cover. Another tidy over from Rashid Khan!

Full, on leg, Quentin Sampson fends it to the right of the keeper.

Turn and bounce, outside off, Quentin Sampson looks to punch it but misses.

Short, on off, Matthew Forde punches it through extra cover for a single.

Much fuller, down leg, Matthew Forde looks to slog it but wears it on his pads. A loud appeal but the finger stays down. Rashid Khan goes upstairs to have a check. Ultra Edge shows no spike and Ball Tracking shows that it was missing leg. The onfield decision stands NOT OUT.

Flatter, on off, Quentin Sampson punches it to cover for a single.

Short and wide, Matthew Forde looks to slap it but misses.

Much fuller, on off, Matthew Forde pushes it to cover.

FOUR! Top shot! Flatter, on middle and leg, Matthew Forde gets down on one knee and slogs it over square leg for a boundary.

Much fuller, on off, Quentin Sampson drives it to cover for a single.

Quicker, on off, Quentin Sampson eases it to point.

FOUR! Nicely played! They need more, a lot more. Flatter, on off, Quentin Sampson stays back and drills it down the ground for a boundary.

DRINKS! Chasing a daunting target of 182, the West Indies are in deep trouble at 57/5 at the halfway stage. They still need 125 runs from the final 60 balls, and it will take something special from Quentin Sampson and Matthew Forde to spark a comeback. Afghanistan, meanwhile, will be keen to keep the pressure on and finish the job swiftly. Noor Ahmad comes into the attack now.

Skiddy, back of a length on off. Forde tucks it toward square leg and scampers for the double.

Short of a good length, around off. Forde punches it nicely but finds the man at point.

On a hard length, attacking the stumps. Forde prods and defends it down the pitch.

Short of a good length on off. Quentin Sampson dabs it toward backward point for one.

FOUR! No need to run for it! Back of a length, just outside off. Quentin Sampson flat-bats it past the bowler and down the ground for a thumping boundary.

Back of a length, around off. Quentin Sampson gets on top of the bounce and dabs it toward backward point.

Leg break, on a length, around off. Matthew Forde defends it to short cover.

Flatter googly, on the middle and leg. Forde blocks it to short mid-wicket.

Matthew Forde comes in next.

OUT! Another appeal from Rashid Khan and Jangoo is a goner. A low full toss, almost a yorker on the leg stump line. Jangoo moves across and tries to paddle it down to fine leg, but misses and gets struck in front. Appeal from the bowler and up goes the finger. The  West Indies have lost half of their side but only 50 on the board.

Tad short, outside off. Quentin Sampson cuts this to deep cover point for one.

Tossed up full, at the stumps. Quentin Sampson defends into the off-side.

Flatter leg break, outside off. Quentin Sampson looks to cut but misses.

Flatter arm ball, on off. Quentin Sampson taps it into the off-side for one. The West Indies are in trouble at 49/4 after 8 overs. 133 needed off 72 balls.

Tad short, around off. Jangoo steers it through covers for one.

Pushed through full, on off. Drilled back to Nabi.

Fuller and quicker on off. Jangoo bunts it back to Nabi.

Flatter and spins away late to beat the outside edge of Jangoo.

Flatter and sliding down the leg. Amir Jangoo looks to tickle it to fine leg but clips the pad on the way to the keeper.

Flatter googly, on leg pole. Quentin Sampson looks to work it across the line but misses and wears on the pad.

The next batter walking out is the debutant, Quentin Sampson.

OUT! TAKEN! Rashid Khan gets into the act immediately and strikes in his opening over. Tossed up full, on the leg. Shimron Hetmyer sits low and slogs it high toward the long leg region. Darwish Rasooli circles and takes a safe catch. The West Indies are four down and in some trouble.

Tossed up on a length, at the stumps. Shimron Hetmyer defends it down the pitch.

Flatter and quicker googly, on off. Shimron Hetmyer hangs back and defends it to short cover.

Flatter leg break, on the middle and leg. Amir Jangoo nudges it through square leg for one.

Tossed up full, around off. Shimron Hetmyer drives this to long off for one.

Rashid Khan brings himself into the attack.

Very full, almost a yorker on the leg. Shimron Hetmyer swipes it to deep backward square leg for one. The West Indies are 45/3 after the Powerplay.

Flatter arm ball, on off. Jangoo gets across and paddles it to fine leg for one.

Fuller and quicker at the stumps. Shimron Hetmyer bunts it down to long on for one.

Tossed up full, on off. Shimron Hetmyer prods and defends into the off-side.

Johnson Charles looked promising, but his innings ended on 27. The new batter in is Shimron Hetmyer.

OUT! Appeal from Mujeeb Ur Rahman and up goes the finger. Johnson Charles looks confident and takes the review. Tosses it full, sliding into the middle and leg stump line. Charles brings out the switch hit and tries to go over the point region, but misses and gets pinned in front. The on-field decision is OUT. Charles sends it upstairs. Three Reds on ball tracking and Charles is a goner. The Men in Maroon are three down inside the Powerplay.

FOUR! DISPATCHED! Short and wide outside off. Charles makes room and slaps it over point for a cracking boundary.

Back of a length, just outside off. Amir Jangoo steers it toward backward point.

Evin Lewis perished early today. Amir Jangoo comes to the crease at number 4.

OUT! GONE! Ziaur Rahman gets the big fish! Short of a length delivery, on off. Evin Lewis tries to take on the pull, but gets rushed by the delivery and miscues it toward the deep backward square leg region, where Darwish Rasooli takes the catch. West Indies are two down.

Back of a length, outside off. Johnson Charles carves it toward deep backward point for one.

FOUR! SLAMMED! Short and wide outside off. Johnson Charles gets on top of the bounce and slaps it over covers for a cracking boundary.

WIDE! Slower ball on a fullish length, down the leg. Johnson Charles plays and misses. Wide signaled by the umpire.

SIX! STAND AND DELIVER! Back of a length, angled into off. Johnson Charles clears the front leg and smashes it over deep mid-wicket for half a dozen.

FOUR! EASY PICKINGS! Short of a good length, angling down the leg. Johnson Charles gets inside the line and helps it to fine leg for four runs.

Ziaur Rahman comes into the attack.

Short of a good length, outside off. Johnson Charles steers it down to deep third for one.

WIDE! Fuller than a length, angling down the leg. Johnson Charles plays and misses. Wide signaled.

Big appeal from the keeper, but the umpire turns it down. Fuller than a length, nips back into the middle and leg. Charles looks to heave it across the line but misses and wears on the pad. Charles is struggling here.

Banged in short, around the left shoulder. Johnson Charles looks to pull but fails to connect.

JAFFA! Short of a good length, rising delivery, just outside off. Moves away and beats the poking blade of Johnson Charles.

Back of a length, outside off. Johnson Charles looks to pull but he misses.

On a hard length, around off. Johnson Charles moves into the off-side and knocks it toward short cover.

Flatter arm ball, sliding into the middle. Evin Lewis hangs back and tucks it off the inner half to short mid-wicket.

Halt. Rahmanullah Gurbaz seems to have hurt his finger while collecting the ball. The physio comes out with the magic spray to attend to him. He is good to go after getting the treatment.

TWO WIDES! Quicker delivery, slanting down the leg. Johnson Charles plays and misses. A fumble from the keeper allows the run alongwith the wide ball.

SIX! JUST OVER! Tossed up full, just outside off. Charles sits low and slogs it over the man at deep backward square leg for a biggie.

LEG BYE! On a length, sliding onto the leg pole. Evin Lewis tucks it off the hip to short fine leg for a leg bye.

Flatter, skids through quickly, around off. Lewis looks to cut but misses.

Flatter arm ball, just outside off. Lewis cuts and picks out the cover point fielder.

Flatter and quicker, sliding into the middle and leg. Charles tucks it toward deep square leg for one.

Back of a length, just outside off. Swing and a miss from Evin Lewis. Tidy over from Azmatullah Omarzai.

Short of a good length, swings the other way, around off. Lewis covers the line and lets it pass.

Short of a good length, off-cutter, on the middle and leg stump line. Evin Lewis looks to heave it across the line but misses and wears on the pad.

Yorker, swings back into the middle stump line. Lewis does well to get the bat down in time and jams it out.

Pace off on a length, outside off. Lewis carves it through the gap at extra cover for two more.

TOUGH CHANCE BUT PUT DOWN! Banged in short, around off. Lewis takes on the pull and miscues it high toward the deep square leg region. Sediqullah Atal runs around and puts a good effort but fails to grab the chance. Two taken.

WIDE! Back of a length, angling down the leg. Lewis swings and misses. Wide to start the over.

Who will share the attack? It will be Azmatullah Omarzai.

Mujeeb goes full, on the leg stump line. Johnson Charles sits low for the slog but misses and wears on the pad.

Flatter on off. Charles blocks it toward point.

The new batter who has walked in is Johnson Charles.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Mujeeb Ur Rahman draws first blood! Flighted full on off and gets it to spin back sharply after pitching. King looks to drive, but the ball sneaks through the bat and the pad gap and crashes into the stumps. The West Indies skipper departs for just 4. The visitors are rocked early in a big chase.

Looped up full, around off. Brandon King strokes it to short cover fielder.

Pushed through full, at the stumps. King nudges it to short mid-wicket.

WIDE! Flatter and sliding down the leg. Brandon King plays and misses.

FOUR! LOVELY START! Tossed up full, just outside off. Brandon King gets on the front foot and drives it nicely through wide of mid-off for a glorious boundary to get off the mark.