WI v AFG, 1st T20I: Afghanistan collapse against Windies due to reckless batting

Basseterre welcomed the visiting Afghanistan team on a somber note, as hosts West Indies, as well as their opponents, observed a moment’s silence. The recent bombings in Kabul which left hundreds injured and several dead was the point of convergence.

While the West Indies were in serious need of a series win, Afghanistan were still riding the wave from the Nagpur victory over the Windies – memories of their final outing at the 2016 World T20 were still fresh.

Afghanistan collapse

Opting to bat first, Afghanistan couldn’t quite replicate that verve on a two-paced pitch at Warner Park. Having provided a slowish start to their innings, Afghanistan suddenly fell like a house of cards. From being 21 without a loss at the start of the 4th over, the visitors found themselves reeling at 58-8. Gulbadin Naib was the only batsman to reach double figures among the top six.

Although Rashid Khan had taken the IPL by storm for his foxy leg-spinners, at Warner Park he took on the role of a resistant batsman. His 27-ball 33, which included 2 fours and 2 sixes, came at a time when Afghanistan looked like they would be skittled out for 70. His 36-run stand with Amir Hamza for the 9th wicket was the highest partnership for the Afghans, and as it turned out, the highest in the match as well. Hamza, on the other hand, chipped in with 21 off 17, and the visitors somehow crawled to 110.

Sunil Narine was back in business after a relatively quiet IPL – with the ball that is. His impeccable figures of 3-11 off four overs set the tone for the Windies bowling innings. In fact, all five bowlers chipped in with wickets; while Jerome Taylor was expensive, his poor-ish figures were made up for by Samuel Badree, Kesrick Williams and Carlos Brathwaite.

The West Indies canter home

The West Indies were never in a position of difficulty during the chase. Chadwick Walton began proceedings with a flurry of boundaries, while Evin Lewis took care of the sixes. Once the openers departed, Marlon Samuels and Jason Mohammed steered the ship for the hosts. The Windies cantered to a 6 wicket win with 21 balls to spare.

Essentially, it was reckless batting which had cost Afghanistan the game upfront. Lack of partnerships and poor shot selection summed up the visitors’ first innings. It was mere formalities for the West Indies as they were always going to get to the meager total.

Basseterre will host the remaining couple of matches as well, with the first being played the very next day after the completion of the opening T20. The West Indies will back themselves to clinch the series on June 3, but the defiant Afghans might still have something in the bag.