Indian Cricket team defeat after defeat at last got first victory against Afghanistan by 66 runs and their net run rate now enter into positive stats but still behind top four teams. The Group Table shows that Pakistan at first with four victories in four matches and have eight points already into the semi final as group topper while Afghanistan with two victories in four games and even after defeat from India is on second because of their better net run-rate, New Zealand on third with four points on two win’s in three matches, India is at fourth with one two points on one victory in three games, Namibia is at number five with two points and one victory and Scotland is at six with zero points on all three matches defeats.
Indian Voice captain Rohit Sherma who was declared man of the match on his 74 runs on 47 balls hoped with if and but games for the qualification in final four of T20 World Cup 2021.
India is deep rooted in defeats and management also declared a big change before ending the mega event with appointment of Rahul Dravid as head coach of Indian cricket team who will responsible for the home series against New Zealand as his first assignment late in the November after the end of mega event ICC T20WC2021.
Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul set the stage with an outstanding opening partnership of 140 runs. Later, Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya added 63 runs in just 21 balls, delivering late fireworks that propelled India to 210 for two, the highest score of the tournament thus far.
Afghanistan’s bowling attack sorely missed the injured Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The early dismissals of both openers within four overs put them on the back foot right from the start of their innings.
Karim Janat remained unbeaten on 42 runs, and Mohammad Nabi added 35 runs with quick contributions. Mohammed Shami claimed three wickets for 32 runs, while Ravi Ashwin, making a comeback, took two wickets for 14 runs, securing a comfortable and morale-boosting win for India.
Having been restricted to 110 for seven by New Zealand on Sunday, India were eager for a strong start when inserted at the toss and their experienced openers provided it.
Rohit started the opening over, lofting Gulbadin Naib for four over mid-off. Five balls later, Rahul made his statement by smashing Sharafuddin Ashraf over long-on for the first six of the innings.
Another followed in a costly fifth over, which ended with India on 52 without loss after Rohit cleared the ropes over long-off before driving through cover for four more.
Afghanistan’s attack briefly slowed down the scoring as the opening pair focused on rotating the strike, going 20 balls without a boundary. However, Rahul ended the brief dry spell by sweeping Rashid Khan behind square, keeping the scoreboard ticking along.
Rohit reached his half-century in 37 balls, while his partner hit a savage pull shot for six, marking their fourth T20I century stand in the 12th over.
At the beginning of the 13th over, Rahul raised his bat after reaching his half-century in two fewer balls than Rohit. Rohit then took on Rashid Khan aggressively, smashing successive sixes shortly thereafter.
However, just as Rohit seemed set to accelerate further, his excellent innings came to an end when he drove Karim Janat to Mohammad Nabi at extra cover, giving Afghanistan a crucial breakthrough.
Pant was promoted to number three to maintain the attacking approach. After surviving reviews from consecutive deliveries by Rashid, he capitalized on his second chance by hitting Gulbadin for two huge consecutive sixes, reclaiming India’s momentum after Rahul had been dismissed earlier in the over.
Pandya capitalized on a missed opportunity, hitting two sixes off Naveen after a straightforward chance was dropped by Najibullah Zadran at long-off. Later in the innings, Pant struck another powerful blow that took India past the 200-run mark in the final over, leaving Afghanistan with a significant challenge ahead.
Understanding the need to start aggressively, Hazratullah Zazai initiated the chase by taking on India’s formidable new ball bowlers. He cut Mohammed Shami for four and then lofted Jasprit Bumrah over the deep mid-wicket boundary to get the innings underway.
Neither took long to hit back, however, as both openers fell in successive deliveries. Shami induced a leading edge, dismissing Mohammad Shahzad for a four-ball duck. Shortly after, Zazai edged Bumrah to mid-on, leaving Afghanistan at 13 for two.
The incoming Rahmanullah Gurbaz wasted no time, launching Shami for consecutive sixes in the fifth over, which cost 21 runs and injected new energy into Afghanistan’s chase.
Gulbadin followed up with two boundaries off Pandya as Afghanistan reached 47 for two by the end of the powerplay, trailing India by just six runs at the same stage.
The eight wickets in hand soon became seven as Rahmanullah resumed his attack and was caught well by Pandya just inside the boundary at long-on off Ravi Jadeja’s bowling.
Then came a significant moment for Jadeja’s fellow spinner Ashwin, who trapped Gulbadin lbw while he attempted a sweep, securing his first T20I wicket since 2016. This left Afghanistan at 61 for four at the halfway mark of their innings.
Ashwin followed up by clean bowling Najibullah Zadran, who attempted a reverse sweep. He bowled four economical overs without conceding a boundary, marking a commendable return to his country’s limited-overs squad.
The required rate was growing all the time but Nabi and Janat were in no mood to throw in the towel.
The duo added 57 runs for the fifth wicket before Shami returned to make a decisive impact. Nabi was superbly caught by a diving Jadeja at mid-wicket, and Rashid’s first delivery was lofted to Pandya at mid-off, sealing the victory for India.
Janat concluded his fine innings undefeated on 42 runs from 22 balls with a six off the final delivery of the innings. However, Afghanistan’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals hinge on defeating New Zealand and favorable outcomes in other matches.
Scores in brief
India beat Afghanistan at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi by 66 runs
India 210/2 in 20 overs, (Rohit Sharma 74, KL Rahul 69; Karim Janat 1/7, Gulbadin Naib 1/39)
Afghanistan 144/7 in 20 overs (Karim Janat 42 not out, Mohammad Nabi 35; Mohammed Shami 3/32, Ravichandran Ashwin 2/14)
