T20 World Cup: Power-packed batters give India first win

INDIA on Wednesday (3) picked their first win in the T20 World Cup being held in the United Arab Emirates by thrashing Afghanistan by 66 runs in a crucial Group 2 game after putting up a power-packed show with the bat.

India were sent to bat first by Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi and the former champions made major amends in their performance after the dull show in their first two games against Pakistan and New Zealand.

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Indian openers KL Rahul (69 off 48 balls) and Rohit Sharma (74 off 47) put on 140 runs for the first wicket in less than 15 overs and after their departures, Rishabh Pant (27 off 13) and Hardik Pandya (35 off 13) added 63 runs in just three-and-overs to power their side’s total to 210 for 2, the highest in this World Cup.

India opener Rohit Sharma plays a shot as Afghanistan wicket-keeper Mohammad Shahzad looks on during their T20 World Cup match at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, on November 3, 2021,(Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

For Afghanistan, seven bowlers tried their luck but only Gulbadin Naib and Karim Janat could claim a wicket.

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Afghanistan, who remain in the second spot in the points table despite losing two consecutive games against Pakistan and India, never looked like chasing the steep target and were reduced to 69 for 5 in the 12^th over. However, Nabi (35 0ff 32) and Janat (42 not out off 22) added 57 runs for the sixth wicket to give their side’s total some respectability. The Afghans finished at 144 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs and now have to win against New Zealand in their final group game to make the semi-finals. Pakistan have already qualified from the group.

For India, pacer Mohammed Shami, who was horribly abused after a bad game against Pakistan, was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets for 32 runs while Ravichandran Ashwin, who made a comeback to the T20 side after a long time, picked two for 14. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja got a wicket each.

Rohit Sharma was adjudged the man of the match.

India next play Scotland, who have lost all their three games to get eliminated, in Dubai on Friday (5).