West Indies vs Afghanistan, 2nd ODI: Shai Hope, bowlers guide hosts to series-levelling victory

A brilliant work by the West Indies bowlers and later patience at the crease by Shai Hope handed the team a series-levelling victory against visitors Afghanistan in the second One-Day International (ODI) at Gros Islet on Sunday.

A brilliant work by the West Indies bowlers and later patience at the crease by Shai Hope handed the team a series-levelling victory against visitors Afghanistan in the second One-Day International (ODI) at Gros Islet on Sunday. Afghanistan, who had won the opening ODI of the ongoing three-match series, were bundled for a paltry 135, courtesy the hosts’ bowlers. Later, it was Hope to took the side to a 4-wicket victory amidst frequent fall of wickets to keep the hopes of winning the series alive. The series decider will be played on June 14 at the same venue, Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD, West Indies vs Afghanistan, 2nd ODI

Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first, probably since they were able to restrict West Indies’ chase in the previous ODI. However, this time the decision did not favour the visitors as they lost their top four batsmen within 10.1 overs with only 35 runs on the board. It was not until skipper Asghar Stanikzai and Mohammad Nabi came out to bat that any Afghanistan batsman reached a double-digit score. But none of them could do anything impactful. The only hurrah for Afghanistan’s batting was Gulbadin Naib’s 51. Naib, who had scored an unbeaten 41 off 28 in the last match, proved to be the most valuable player, scoring with patience as his side collapsed for 135 in 37.3 overs.

The pace triplet of Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph bagged 2 wickets each. Spinner Ashley Nurse also got a couple of wickets while Roston Chase picked up his maiden ODI wicket.

Chasing the target, Evin lewis and Kieran Powell put up a 40-run first-wicket partnership till Rashid Khan removed the latter for 12. Hope batted at number three and was the most efficient as he saw his teammates depart in quick succession. Hope, along with Holder, brought victory to the side with 10.4 overs still remaining.

Rashid Khan as usual was at his best, emerging as the most successful bowler for Afghanistan with his triple strike. Gulbadin bagged a couple while Nabi was the only other successful bowler with a solitary wicket.

Brief scores:

Afghanistan 135 in 37.3 overs (Mohammad Nabi 13, Gulbadin Naib 51; Shannon Gabriel 2 for 25, Jason Holder2 for 38, Alzarri Joseph 2 for 15, Ashley Nurse 2 for 33) lost to West Indies 138 for 6 in 39.2 overs (Evin Lewis 33, Shai Hope 48; Rashid Khan 3 for 26, Gulbadin Naib 2 for 15) by 4 wickets.

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