The world of cricket is abuzz with excitement. Yesterday, the Afghanistan national team proved once again that they are no longer just a rising team, but a major force on the international stage. By defeating the West Indies by 39 runs, the Afghans not only won the match but also secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in this three-match series. This performance is all the more remarkable as it relies on a perfect synergy between a flamboyant batting attack and a bowling line of surgical precision.
A Batting Duo in a State of Grace: Rasooli and Atal
The foundation of this victory was laid by an exceptional collaboration between Darwish Rasooli and Sediqullah Atal. Despite the early loss of both openers (the first batters to enter the field to start the batting order), the duo managed to stabilize the innings with a 115-run partnership for the third wicket.
Rasooli, who seems to be in the form of his life, recorded his third consecutive T20I (Twenty20 International, a short match format limited to 20 overs per team) half-century. His ability to alternate between aggressive square cuts and elegant drives completely disoriented the Caribbean defense. On the other side, Atal played the role of the anchor, ensuring score continuity while allowing his partner to take calculated risks. Thanks to an explosive late cameo led by Azmatullah Omarzai, Afghanistan posted an imposing total of 189 for 4.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s Masterpiece: A Memorable Hat-Trick
While the score of 189 was already daunting, the task became insurmountable for the West Indies because of one man: Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The bowler delivered a performance that will remain etched in the annals of Afghan cricket by securing his very first hat-trick (the feat of taking three wickets on three consecutive deliveries).
Mujeeb varied his trajectories with absolute mastery. By using his “googly” (a type of delivery where the ball turns in the opposite direction to what the batter expects after the bounce), he sowed confusion in the opposing ranks. His figures of 4 wickets for only 21 runs conceded broke the West Indies’ momentum, even as they seemed to be getting back into the race thanks to Shimron Hetmyer’s aggression.
The West Indies Collapse Under Pressure
Despite the efforts of Brandon King, who scored 50 runs, and Hetmyer’s six sixes, the pressure exerted by the Afghan spinners (bowlers who use ball rotation to deceive the batter) was too strong. Fazalhaq Farooqi’s precision at the start of the innings stifled the visitors’ offensive ambitions right from the powerplay (the first six overs where fielding restrictions normally favor the batters).
The final collapse was brutal: the West Indies lost their last five wickets for just 27 runs. This lack of resilience at the end of the match highlights Afghanistan’s strategic superiority on a pitch particularly conducive to spin.
Ideal Preparation for the World Cup
This victory marks the third consecutive T20I series win for Afghanistan. For analysts, this success is a sign of growing maturity. The team no longer depends solely on one or two individual exploits but relies on a solid collective structure.
The next match, scheduled for this Thursday, will be the ultimate test for the Afghans before they head to the T20 World Cup. For the West Indies, it will be an opportunity to save face before beginning their tour of South Africa. One thing is certain: Afghanistan enters the world stage with ironclad morale and talents that are now making the greatest nations tremble.
