Afghanistan vs West Indies, 2nd ODI at Gros Islet: Visitors look to wrap series; Hosts eye comeback

After pulling off a 3-0 whitewash in the Twenty20 International (T20I) series, West Indies were expected to come hard at Afghanistan in the ODIs as well. After all, the momentum and the home conditions were by their side. But a spirited Afghanistan side finally showed up on the tour and comprehensively beat the hosts by 63 runs in a low-scoring affair to go 1-0 up in the three-match series. Playing in conditions that suited their brand of cricket, Afghanistan deflated the hosts by putting up a fine display of spin bowling: West Indies were bowled out for 149 in pursuit of 213. Live Cricket Score: Afghanistan vs West Indies, 2nd ODI at Gros Islet

The chief architect of their win was — there is no prize for guessing — the prodigious Rashid Khan. The teenage leg-spinner has been rising in stature with every outing. After preying on batsmen from Associate Nations for long, Rashid enhanced his reputation when he scalped the big fishes in IPL 10 playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad. He carried his form to the Caribbean Islands. After surprisingly going quiet in the T20Is, he finally showed his class by running through the hapless West Indies batting and returning with figures of 7 for 18 that earned him the 4th-best bowling figures ever in ODIs. He was also the youngest to take a 7-for in ODIs.

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Apart from Rashid, Javed Ahmadi (81), Mohammad Nabi (27*) and Gulbadin Naib (41*) were also instrumental in Afghanistan’s win.

What to expect from the 2nd ODI?

West Indies will look to put up a much-improved performance and level the series. They got the team selection wrong in the first game, where they played four seamers on a slow, low track. Afghanistan, on the other hand, read the conditions better. They unleashed their spin troika on the hosts. Alzarri Joseph, the second-most expensive bowler after skipper Jason Holder, may make way for Devendra Bishoo in the playing XI.

With Holder batting at No. 7, West Indies need their top- and middle-orders to bat more responsibly. The batsmen need to figure out ways to counter spin. They were troubled by Shadab Khan when Pakistan toured West Indies some time back. If their batsmen do not come up with a strategy to counter spin, Rashid and co. may well just have another good day at work.

Afghanistan will like to stick to the winning combination. More will be expected from skipper Asghar Stanikzai, who has scores of 4, 5, 9, 13 and 2 on this trip so far. His poor form has hurt the side and he himself would want to get back to the scoring ways in the second ODI. A win here would be historic, as it will seal the maiden series for Afghanistan in the Caribbean, in only their first outing. Rashid, as always, will be the X-factor.

The surface for the first ODI was low, slow and conducive to spin bowling. The second match will be played at the same venue. If the same surface is used, another low-scoring affair is on the cards. There is no chance of rain and we are expected to get a full game.

Squads:

Afghanistan: Asghar Stanikzai (c), Shafiqullah (wk), Afsar Zazai, Amir Hamza, Dawlat Zadran, Fareed Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib, Javed Ahmadi, Mohammad Nabi, Nasir Jamal, Noor Ali Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Rashid Khan, Samiullah Shenwari, Shapoor Zadran, Usman Ghani.

West Indies: Jason Holder (c), Shai Hope (wk), Devendra Bishoo, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shannon Gabriel, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Ashley Nurse, Kieran Powell, Rovman Powell.

Match Timings:

14:30 local | 18:30 GMT | 00:00 IST (12 June)