अफगानिस्तान vs वेस्ट इंडीज, तीसरा टी-20 Commentary, Live Updates

That wraps up a competitive T20 series between Afghanistan and the West Indies, with the hosts ultimately claiming a 2-1 victory. While the Afghans take home the trophy, the West Indies will be buoyed by their fighting spirit and win in the final match, ending the series on a positive note. Both teams depart this series with significant takeaways and a clear picture of what needs to be finetuned in the limited weeks remaining before the ICC T20 World Cup begins. The stage is set for a thrilling tournament as these sides, now well-tested, prepare for the global showcase. Cheers for now.

Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan emphasized the critical importance of the series against the West Indies as a final preparatory benchmark ahead of the World Cup, providing numerous positives and vital energy for the squad. He noted that the games offered a key opportunity to assess the team's composure during chases, specifically how they handle targets around 150-160 runs in similar conditions to those expected in the tournament. Rashid concluded that continuous improvement in the death overs is essential, stressing that the bowling unit must work on restricting opponents from scoring 45-50 runs in the final stages of an innings.

West Indies' captain Brandon King praised his entire bowling unit for making it difficult for the Afghanistan batters during the final match, effectively executing their plans from a bowling point of view. King indicated that this victory and performance level are much closer to the standard the team is capable of achieving, suggesting positive momentum as they look ahead to the ICC T20 World Cup.

Darwish Rasooli is the Player of the Series. He acknowledged that while the team is pleased with the series win, they remain focused on continuous improvement as they ramp up preparations for the upcoming World Cup. He highlighted the middle order as a specific area requiring further refinement to ensure the team is fully prepared for the global stage. Despite the narrow loss in the final game, Rasooli expressed confidence that the squad will address these gaps and certainly bounce back stronger in their future fixtures.

Player of the Match is Shamar Springer. He expressed his delight to claim a T20I hat-trick, a feat that felt great after patiently waiting for his turn to return to the side. He emphasized his sole focus on giving his best whenever he gets an opportunity. Reflecting on his crucial batting partnership with Matthew Forde, Springer revealed their simple strategy was to minimize dot balls and aggressively look for boundaries. When discussing his bowling approach, he noted his intention to make the batsmen hit towards the larger boundaries and maintain sharp focus on his execution.

Presentation to follow...

Earlier in the game, West Indies posted a fighting total of 151 thanks to a late surge from Matthew Forde and Shamar Springer. After a cautious start, Afghanistan's bowlers applied pressure, dismissing Johnson Charles and restricting the West Indies from scoring freely. Brandon King's 47 anchored the innings, but wickets fell regularly, and West Indies struggled to regain momentum. However, Forde's 27 off 11 balls and Springer's 16 off 9 balls changed the game, adding valuable runs at the death. Afghanistan's bowlers, including Ziaur Rahman, Rashid Khan, and Abdullah Ahmadzai, took crucial wickets to keep West Indies contained.

The Windies' fielding was also top-notch, with sharp ground fielding and crisp catching, barring a dropped chance from Springer in the Powerplay. Shamar's 4 wickets were instrumental in turning the game, and the other bowlers chipped in with crucial wickets to seal the win for the Windies.

Shamar Springer's hat-trick was the catalyst for the Windies' incredible turnaround. Prior to that, Afghanistan's openers had set the tone for a comfortable chase, putting on a partnership of 74 runs without loss before the drinks break. However, the Windies' bowlers, led by Shamar's devastating spell, took the game away from the hosts, with wickets tumbling at regular intervals. The Afghans were left shell-shocked, with no batter other than Gurbaz and Zadran able to make a significant impact, exposing their dependence on the openers and raising concerns ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup.

The West Indies' bowling unit have pulled off a stunning comeback, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat as they restricted Afghanistan to 138, winning the match by 13 runs. Afghanistan had looked set to cruise to a comfortable win, riding on a solid start from their openers, with the score reading 95 for 1 in the chase of 152. However, the Windies' bowlers conjured up a spellbinding performance, taking the game away from the hosts in the final 10 overs. The turning point came in the 19th over, courtesy Shamar Springer's sensational hat-trick, which left Afghanistan reeling and unable to recover.

Full toss, on off, Gulbadin Naib tucks this to deep mid-wicket for a single to end the game in a losing cause. West Indies win by 13 runs.

Yorker again, on middle and off, Naib rolls this back to the bowler.

Yorker on off, Gulbadin Naib rolls this down to long off and denies the option to run one.

Full and on off, Gulbadin Naib punches this through mid off and turns back for two.

Abdullah Ahmadzai walks out next in the middle.

OUT! MUJEEB IS RUN OUT! On a length around middle and leg, Gulbadin Naib flicks this through mid-wicket and calls for two straightaway. Mujeeb Ur Rahman acknowledges this and turns back nowing it will take something sloppy from the Windies for him to make his ground. Shimron Hetmyer collcts this well and throws it to Ramon Simmonds at the bowler's end. RS does the rest by breaking the stumps with the batter short of his crease.

Ramon Simmonds bowls it from around the stumps, on a length and slanting down the leg. Gulbadin Naib looks to flick this over the deep square leg region but misses and turns down the single on offer. Mujeeb isn't the worst with the bat. Naib is backing himself to finish the task on hand.

20 runs are needed off the last over for Afghanistan to make it 3-0.

FOUR! This time SS errs in line a bit and bowls it full and wide of off, Mujeeb Ur Rahman hangs onto his back foot, opens the face of his bat and slices this over short third for a boundary.

Yet another yorker, on off, Mujeeb Ur Rahman blocks this back to the bowler. An exhibition of death bowling this is from Shamar Springer.

WIDE! Wide down the leg. Wided.

WOAH! This was nailed onto the roots of middle and leg from SS. Mujeeb Ur Rahman does well to keep it out.

OUT! TIMBER! WAS IT EVER IN DOUBT? Shamar Springer takes a hat-trick. Yorker on the roots of the off-pole, Shahidullah Kamal fails to get anything behind it as the ball goes past him and rattles the timber. Shamar Springer is hard to catch for his teammates as he celebrates his hat-trick in a very West Indian style.

Shahidullah Kamal walks out next with the bat in his hands. He will be facing the hat-trick ball.

OUT! CAUGHT! Full and wide outside off, Rashid Khan gets down on a knee and slices this towards the deep third region. The fielder was waiting for this patrolling that region and he held onto it. Rashid Khan goes back for a golden duck.

OUT! CAUGHT! Take a bow, Matthew Forde has taken a stunner to send Gurbaz back. Full and wide outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz steps a long way across and sweeps this to the right of the fielder at deep mid-wicket. Matthew Forde moves to his right with the boundary line in his peripheral vision. Takes this and flicks this inside the playing areas with his body momentum taking him over the fence. Comes back in and grabs it again. Excellent from Forde.

25 more needed off the last 12 balls.

Full toss on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz jumps down the track and slogs this to long on for one.

Quicker and flatter on middle and leg, Gulbadin Naib punts this down to long on and rotates again.

Fired on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz thumps this down to long off for a single.

FOUR! The only difference from the previous ball is that the bowler bowled this from around the stumps and it landed full and on off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz once again shuffles across and paddle sweeps this over short fine for four more.

FOUR! That's really poor from Khary. Pierre comes over the stumps and bowls a full toss on the pads, Rahmanullah Gurbaz steps inside and paddles this behind the stumps, over the short fine leg fielder for four runs.

Fired into the batter, on middle and leg. Gulbadin Naib punches this down the ground for one.

Full and on off, Gulbadin Naib guides this to deep point for one.

Gulbadin Naib walks out next.

OUT! CAUGHT! Hit and gone from Nabi. Low full toss, around off, Mohammad Nabi looks to repeat the stroke from the previous delivery but fails to get enough height on it. This goes flat and straight into the hands of Shamar Springer at the long on region. SS make no mistake, dives in front and takes a good catch.

SIX! Smashed out of the park. Nabi was waiting on his back foot for a full and wide delivery, angling across him. Nabi gets right underneath this and smashes this out of the park towards the long on region.

Wide yorker around off, Mohammad Nabi fails to get bat on ball.

Good length around off, Mohammad Nabi looks to hit this big but misses out.

Full and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz punches this to sweeper cover for one.

Mohammad Nabi walks out next in the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! First wicket for a spinner in this T20I series, wearing Maroon and Yellow of WI. Full and on middle and off, Darwish Rasooli looks to play the reverse sweep btu gets it edged over the fielder at short third. Brandon King makes no mistake and holds onto it.

Fired on off, Darwish Rasooli smashes this straight back to the bowler. Khary Pierre catches it and starts appealing but DR thinks otherwise and is not walking anywhere as the umpires combine and send this upstairs for a catch check. The replay shows that the ball had bounced in front of Khary as he gathers this and Rasooli survives a scare.

Short and into the batter, Darwish Rasooli rocks onto his back foot and pulls this to the left of deep mid-wicket for two runs.

Full and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz drills this down the ground for one.

Darted around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks to play the reverse sweep but misses out.

Fired on off, Darwish Rasooli punches this in the gap for one.

49 more needed off the last 5 overs.

FOUR! This was much-needed for Afghanistan to release a bit of pressure mounting on them. Good length on middle and off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz lofts this over the fielder at extra cover for a boundary.

Good length around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz steps across and looks to swing at it but misses out,

WIDE! On a length wide outside off. Wided.

Yorker on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets it away through mid-wicket for a couple. Some fitness on show from Gurbaz.

On a length around middle and off, Darwish Rasooli gets it edged off the inside towards fine leg for one.

WIDE! Short and wide outside off. Darwish Rasooli leaves it. Wided.

That is an alarming moment, and the immediate concern is for Rahmanullah Gurbaz's well-being. A run-out attempt by Gudakesh Motie at the non-striker's end has resulted in the ball hitting Gurbaz flush on the helmet, leaving him in significant trouble. The physio has rushed onto the field immediately to assess the Afghan opener and provide urgent medical attention. Promising signs as Gurbaz is back on it's feet to the crowd's applause.

Good length on off, Darwish Rasooli thumps this to mid off and Gurbaz sets off for a single but is sent back. The throw comes in from the mid off fielder towards the non-striker's end. Misses the stumps but catcheds Gurbaz around his head and he is down in some serious pain.

Darwish Rasooli walks out to replace Atal in the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Back of a length around off, Sediqullah Atal looks to block this but gets a faint edge back to the keeper. Johnson Charles makes no mistake and holds onto it.

Fired outside off, Sediqullah Atal rolls this through covers for a single.

Full and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz punches this to sweeper cover for one.

Fired outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz hits this straight to the fielder.

Short and on middle and off, Sediqullah Atal pulls this away to long on for one.

Full and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz pushes this away in the gap for one.

Fired around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz thumps this through the covers region for a couple of runs.

Low full toss, around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz drives this to extra cover for one.

Short and on leg, Sediqullah Atal hooks this to fine leg for one.

Full and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz keeps it out.

FOUR! Quality on show from Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Full and wide outside the off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz jumps across the stumps and paddles this through the short fine leg region for a boundary. Rahmanullah Gurbaz moves close to his half-century.

Good length around the pads, Sediqullah Atal edges this to short mid off and takes one.

Good length around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz cuts this crisply through point for one.

Darted wide outside off, Sediqullah Atal looks to punch this through covers but misses.

Quicker one, around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz punches this away to deep on off for one.

Tossed up, on off, Sediqullah Atal rolls this down to long off for one.

Fired across the batter, Atal looks to slog this one but misses.

Tossed up, on middle and leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz tucks this through mid-wicket for a single.

Floated on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz keeps it out.

Full and wide of off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz slices this to deep point's left for a single.

Good length on the pads, Sediqullah Atal tucks this off the inside through short fine leg for one.

Good length on middle and off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz leans back and cuts this through point for one.

On a length around middle and off, Sediqullah Atal flicks this through mid-wicket for one.

Good length on off, Sediqullah Atal blocks this out.

Sediqullah Atal walks out next in the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! That's exactly what was needed for the Windies to try and make a comeback in this contest. Slower one, on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran looks to slog this out of the park but fails to get right underneath it. Hits this straight into the hands of Shamar Springer at the deep mid-wicket region for a soft dismissal.

DRINKS! This has been a sensational showcase of batting from the Afghan openers. Both Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran took on the opponent bowlers and made sure not to give many chances to the WI. Both the openers have played every ball on its merit and have cruised to 74 off the first 10 overs. West Indies will need not just one but a few wickets in quick succession to make a game out of it from here on.

Slider on leg, Ibrahim Zadran jumps down the track and rolls this down to long on for one.

Tossed up, on off, Ibrahim Zadran rolls this back to the bowler.

Full and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz drives this to sweeper cover for a single.

Fired onto the pads, Rahmanullah Gurbaz flicks this through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Fired on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz punches this well but straight to covers.

Fired on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz punches this to point.

Good length around off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes this to mid off for a dot.

On a length around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz pushes this to covers and takes one.

A touch too full, on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz backs away from the stumps and slices this towards deep point's left for a couple.

On a length around off, Ibrahim Zadran looks to punch this down the ground but gets it edged off the inside through square leg for one.

LEG BYE! Good length on the pads, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets it tickled off his pads for a leg bye.

Yorker on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz jams this out.

Fired on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes this straight to the fielder for another dot.

Quicker one, on the pads, Ibrahim Zadran flicks this through square leg and takes two.

Full and on off, Ibrahim Zadran fails to beat the fielder again.

Quicker one on off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes this back to the bowler.

Pushed through on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz drives this to long off for a single.

Fired on off, Ibrahim Zadran cuts this through point for one.

Gudakesh Motie has been called into action to bowl for the West Indies.

FOUR! A boundary to close the over. 14 off this Greaves over. Short and wide of off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz slashes hard at it, gets it edged through the point region for yet another boundary.

Good length wide of off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz pokes at it but gets beaten.

Hard length on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz punches this to covers for a dot.

FOUR! Cute late cut for four more. Short and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz plays this late and almost behind his body. Cuts this through the vacant short third region and sees the ball race along the green carpet for four.

FOUR! Fifty run stand comes up for the 1st wicket with this boundary.  Good length wide of off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz strides on top of the bounce and drives this all along the ground through the left of mid off for a boundary.

Good length on middle and off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz cuts this through point and takes two without any discomfort.

End of the Powerplay. It was a good one for the home side but West Indies would take it as well because they have not allowed Afghanistan to run away in the first 6 overs. Wickets will be key for the Windies in the middle phase of the game.

Good length on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz plays this late and rolls this to the left of short third for one.

On a length around middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran gets it edged to short third for a single.

Good length on off, Ibrahim Zadran defends this one.

LEG BYE! Good length on the pads, RG misses out on the flick and gets it tickled off the pads for a leg bye.

Back of a length, into the batter. Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks to slog this out of the park but misses.

Good length wide outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz pokes at it away from his body and gets beaten.

Shamar Springer has been brought into the attack. Will he make up for the drop he was a part off in the previous over? Let's find out.

Back of a length on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran punts this back to the bowler.

Hard length on off, Ibrahim Zadran blocks this to mid off.

Short and on off, Ibrahim Zadran pulls this closer to Shamar Springer's right. SS puts in a diving effort but could only take the sting out of the pull as the ball striked his palm and rolls behind him. A couple of runs taken by the batters.

Good length around off, Ibrahim Zadran punches this to mid off for no run.

FOUR! Smashed away for four. Short and on off, Ibrahim Zadran reads this well and hangs onto his back foot. Pulls this in front of square for a boundary towards the deep mid-wicket region.

Good length on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz rocks back and cuts this through point for one.

Short and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz punches this away in the gap on off for one.

SIX! A pressure-reliever for Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Tossed up, around middle and off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz stays leg side to it and chips this in the air. Connects really well and ends up clearing the fence towards the deep cover region for six.

Quicker one around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz tucks this to mid-wicket.

Tossed up, on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz defends this one.

Darted onto the pads, Rahmanullah Gurbaz moves away from his stumps and looks to flick but misses.

Fired around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz rocks a bit back and cuts this well but fails to beat cover-point.

Around that nagging length but outside off. Ibrahim Zadran punches this square on off for a couple of runs.

On a length around off, Ibrahim Zadran drives this to cover for no run.

Crunched off the back foot for a single. Back of a length on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz punches this off his back foot and takes one through covers.

Good length around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz pushes this to cover-point for a dot.

FOUR! Up and over for a boundary for Gurbaz. Good length on middle and off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets right onto his front foot anf presents a straight bat and lofts this over mid on for a boundary.

Good length on middle and off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz punches this back to the bowler.

Full and on the pads, Ibrahim Zadran sweeps this to short fine leg for no run.

FOUR! That's been excellently lofted over covers for four. Tossed up, around off, Ibrahim Zadran comes down the track, plays this inside out over covers for a boundary.

Floated wide of off, Ibrahim Zadran blocks this out.

Floated around middle and off, RG punches this through the gap on off for one more.

Tossed up, on off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes this to long off for a single.

Fired on middle and off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz flicks this through square leg for a single.

Excellent start for Afghanistan as they score 16 off the first over. Khary Pierre to bowl from the other end.

Good length on off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes this to covers.

Good length around off, Gurbaz punches this down the ground to the left of mid off for three runs.

Hard length on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran flicks this to fine leg for a comfortable strike rotation.

FOUR! AUTHORITATIVE! Good length on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran strides close to the pitch of the ball and thumps this right through the covers region for a boundary more.

FOUR! Zadran delicately cuts this past short third for four. Short and wide of off, Ibrahim Zadran opens the face of his bat and cuts this past the fielders behind square on off for a boundary.

WIDE! Make it three extras in the very first over. Perfect for a left-hander but Zadran is a right-handed batter. On a length wide down the leg. Wided.

WIDE! Another extra as Matthew Forde errs in line and bowls this wide down the leg.

TWO WIDES! Good length, wide down the leg. Rahmanullah Gurbaz mises out on the flick again and the ball keeper fails to gather this as well. A single taken off this wide ball.

That's a good start from Matthew Forde. Back of a length around middle and off. Gurbaz looks to work this down the leg but misses and gets thud on the back pad. Just a polite appeal for LBW from the bowler but the umpire immediately turns it down.