Latest update March 26th, 2026 12:30 AM
2026 West Indies vs. Afghanistan T20I Series Match 1… Ibrahim (87*)/Rasooli (84), spinners clobber Windies by 38-runs
– Afghan take 1-0 series lead
By Clifton Ross
Kaieteur Sports – Afghanistan drew first blood, as they opened the series with a comprehensive 38-run win over the West Indies, thanks to fifties from Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli backed by some brilliance from their spinners yesterday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
With the T20I World Cup around the corner, teams and players world-wide have been getting in the last bits of preparation albeit international cricket or the numerous franchise tournaments currently ongoing; and Afghanistan made a loud statement as they humbled the former 2-time champs to take a 1-0 series lead.
The Afghans flexed their muscles while possibly signalling dangerous intentions ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, by posting a daunting 181-3 batting first from their full allotment of overs.
Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli were part of a 162-run partnership. (ACB)
Opener Zadran continued his likeness for the Windies, hammering 87 off 56 not out, with 8 fours and 3 sixes.
He was supported by an equally fine knock of 84 off 59 deliveries (8×4 2×6) from the young Rasooli, following the loss of opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz (0) and number 3 batsman Sediqullah Atal (1).
West Indies had a horrific bowling innings, with four of their five operators, yielding at least 30 runs from their spells.
Only seamers Jayden Seals (1-30) who ended as the best bowler and Matthew Forde (2-51); one of two bowlers to concede 50 runs or more; managed to make inroads.
The Caribbean boys then seemingly crumbled under the pressure of chasing almost 200 for victory, being bottled for 143-9 by the end of their overs.
Debutant, Guyanese power-hitter Quentin Sampson had an incredible start to his international career while putting himself in contention for a possible World Cup selection; as he ended as the Windies top-scorer with a 24-ball 36.
Guyanese Quentin Sampson top scored for the Windies on debut. (CWI)
The right-hander smashed 2 fours and 2 sixes, but his teammates apart from Johnson Charles (27), Forde (25) with two fours and a six and a whirlwind 15-ball 28 from Guyanese left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie (2×4 2×6); the other Windies big guns misfired during this first outing.
Afghanistan complemented their exceptional batting with some classy spin bowling, led by their skipper in leg-break specialist Rashid Khan; who snared 2-19 from his 4 overs.
His two partners, the left-arm pair of Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2-29) and Noor Ahmad (2-34) were brilliant, alongside medium-pacer Ziaur Rahman (3-36) who was the pick of the bunch.
Unlike the Afghans who had a monster 162-run 3rd wicket partnership courtesy of their two half-centurions, West Indies struggled to get going during the chase and found themselves 57-5 when the drinks break arrived at the halfway mark.
West Indies had a few good-looking partnerships which never flourished, with Forde and Sampson’s 45 being the highest followed by Motie and Forde adding 37.
Openers Evin Lewis (4) and Brandon King (4), along with middle-order batters Amir Jangoo (3) and Shimron Hetmyer (3); will be keen on playing a much better game come Wednesday when match 2 bowls off.
Scores: Afghanistan 181 for 3 (Zadran 87*, Rasooli 84, Seales 1-30) beat West Indies 143 for 9 (Sampson 30, Ziaur 3-36, Rashid 2-19) by 38 runs.
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