Afghanistan delivered a statement performance in the opening T20I against West Indies, riding on magnificent batting from Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli to secure a convincing victory and take a 1–0 lead in the series. The pair’s contrasting yet complementary innings laid the foundation for Afghanistan’s dominance, showcasing the team’s growing depth and maturity in the shortest format.
Batting first, Afghanistan found early stability through Ibrahim Zadran, who once again underlined why he is considered one of the most reliable anchors in their batting lineup. Zadran played with remarkable composure, absorbing early pressure before steadily expanding his range of strokes. His 87-run knock was built on patience, timing, and intelligent shot selection rather than reckless power-hitting.
Zadran’s innings was crucial in setting the tone. Against a West Indies bowling attack known for pace and variation, he rarely looked flustered. He rotated the strike efficiently, punished anything loose, and ensured Afghanistan never lost momentum during the powerplay and middle overs. His ability to bat deep into the innings gave the team the platform they needed to post a formidable total.
At the other end, Darwish Rasooli provided the perfect counterbalance. While Zadran anchored the innings, Rasooli shifted gears seamlessly, keeping the scoreboard ticking at a brisk pace. His unbeaten 84* was a display of controlled aggression, blending clean hitting with smart placement. Rasooli targeted gaps rather than just boundaries, forcing the West Indies fielders to stay under constant pressure.
The partnership between Zadran and Rasooli proved decisive. Together, they dismantled West Indies’ plans by refusing to give away easy wickets while still maintaining a strong run rate. Their understanding between the wickets was excellent, frequently turning singles into twos and exploiting any hesitation in the field.
As the innings progressed, Rasooli took on the role of the finisher. His late-overs acceleration ensured Afghanistan maximized the final phase, pushing the total well beyond what West Indies would have been comfortable chasing. Importantly, Afghanistan ended with wickets in hand, highlighting how controlled their approach had been throughout the innings.
Defending the total, Afghanistan’s bowlers backed up the batters with a disciplined display. Early wickets put West Indies on the back foot, and the pressure created by Afghanistan’s tight lines and lengths never really eased. The spinners were particularly effective in the middle overs, using variations in pace to break rhythm and force mistakes.
West Indies struggled to build partnerships, and while there were brief flashes of resistance, they never truly threatened Afghanistan’s grip on the game. Regular breakthroughs ensured the required run rate kept climbing, leading to risky shots and eventual collapse.
The win was a reflection of Afghanistan’s evolution as a T20 side. Strong top-order batting, clear roles, calm execution, and collective bowling discipline combined to produce a complete performance. Ibrahim Zadran’s composure and Darwish Rasooli’s attacking flair stood out, but the result was very much a team effort.
With a 1–0 series lead, Afghanistan will carry confidence into the next match, while West Indies face serious questions about their batting consistency and ability to handle sustained pressure.
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