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West Indies vs Afghanistan Live Commentary, Super Sixes - Match 1, ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers, 2018, March 15, 2018

WI 197/8 (50)
Afghanistan beat West Indies by 3 wickets
AFG 198/7 (47.4)
Match over
0.0 : Hello and welcome to the first match of the Super Six clash for a ticket to the ICC World Cup 2019. Table-toppers Windies and Afghanistan lock horns here at the Harare Sports Club. The team in maroon are in great form in this competition and are yet to taste defeat. They will hope that their in-form men come good today and maintain their 100 percent record. Afghanistan on the flip side, are very lucky to be in this position. After losing their first two games they were handed a big lifeline by N
TOSS - Windies win the toss and elect to bat first!
Jason Holder says it looks a good wicket and wants to put runs on the board. Also says he wants today's game to be perfect and tick all the boxes. On changes, he mentions there are forced ones as Kemar Roach is out and Keemo Paul makes his debut and Nikita Miller is also in.
Rashid Khan says they didn't play well in the first half and want to play good here now. Adds they want to show how good they are. Continues saying they have learned from their mistakes and want to do better this time around. States everyone has been working hard and is ready for the challenge and they want to take it as a fresh tournament from this point on. Ends saying there are two changes as Mohammad Shahzad and Dawlat Zadran come in for Shapoor Zadran and Afsar Zazai.
Pitch Report - Mark Butcher says the groundstaff has managed to get a beautiful shine on it. Adds there are hairline cracks on it. Further adds deciding to bat first is a good decision as it will turn in the latter stages of the game. Ends saying Rashid Khan will get a lot of turn and the other bowlers will have to work hard.
Afghanistan XI - Mohammad Shahzad(w), Javed Ahmadi, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shenwari, Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Rashid Khan(c), Gulbadin Naib, Dawlat Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Windies XI - Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Marlon Samuels, Shai Hope(w), Jason Holder(c), Rovman Powell, Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Nikita Miller.
Time for the National Anthems. First, we will begin with Afghanistan's followed by the Windies'.
We are done and dusted with that. Now time for the game to begin. Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis will open the innings for the Windies. There are two slips in place for Dawlat Zadran who will open the bowling. He has some problem with the sightscreen behind, so makes adjustments to that. Ready to begin now. Here we go...
0.1 : D Zadran to C Gayle, Starts off with a length ball on that fourth stump line, Gayle doesn't move his feet and the ball just passes his outside edge. Good start for Zadran.
0.2 : D Zadran to C Gayle, Length around off, Gayle watchfully defends it.
0.3 : D Zadran to C Gayle, Pitched just ahead of that good length area. Gayle looks to flick this on the on side but gets a leading edge to it. The ball goes to the deep point area and they pick up their first run of the day.
0.4 : D Zadran to E Lewis, Back of a length delivery, Lewis goes on his back foot and blocks it.
0.5 : D Zadran to E Lewis, Back of a length again, Lewis punches this on the off side for his first run.
0.6 : D Zadran to C Gayle, Length ball in line of the stumps, Gayle defends this with a straight bat. Good start for Zadran just two off the first over.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman will bowl from the other end.
1.1 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Short ball, Lewis rocks back and taps it on the off side.
1.2 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Wide. The ball is down the leg side but the batsman still goes after it. The umpire has signalled a wide.
Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Short ball again, Lewis pushes this through mid on for a brace. Gayle strolls to make his ground and the bowler has managed to take the bails out at the non-striker's end. The umpire goes up but the big man is comfortably in.
Third umpire has been referred for a run out appeal. Looks like the batsman has made his crease as no Afghan player looks interested.
1.3 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Better length from Mujeeb, in line of the stumps and Lewis blocks it.
1.4 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Great ball. Gets sharp turn on it. Pitches this around off and spins back into Lewis, catching him on the pads. Strong appeal from the bowlers but the umpire stays put.
1.5 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Pitched up, Lewis eases this through mid on for a run.
1.6 : Ur Rahman to C Gayle, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
2.1 : D Zadran to E Lewis, FOUR! Edged and away! There was a second slip in the first over and he has been removed for this one. Had he been there, this would have been a simple catch for him. Serves this around off, Lewis pokes at it and the ball races away to the third man region for a boundary.
2.2 : D Zadran to E Lewis, Follows it up with a yorker. Lewis digs it out in time.
2.3 : D Zadran to E Lewis, Lewis works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.
2.4 : D Zadran to C Gayle, Short ball, Gayle goes for the pull but misses it completely.
2.5 : D Zadran to C Gayle, Outside off, Gayle looks to flirt with it but gets beaten.
2.6 : D Zadran to C Gayle, On the legs of Chris, and the ball hits him low on the pads.
3.1 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Lewis drives this through mid off, they pick up a run.
3.2 : Ur Rahman to C Gayle, OUT! What a brilliant piece of bowling! The 16-year old has just managed to fox the big man. Darts this on middle and leg, Gayle doesn't read the googly and plays the wrong line. The ball goes past his outside edge and removes the off stump from its root. Afghanistan get the big fish. Just the start they were looking for.
Shimron Hetmyer walks in next.
3.3 : Ur Rahman to S Hetmyer, Driven towards the mid off region. The batsmen have run through for a single. Hetmyer gets off the mark.
3.4 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Evin has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
3.5 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Another wrong 'un. Lewis is beaten outside his off stump.
A stumping appeal has been referred. Lewis has just lost his balance trying to sweep. He looks confident though.
3.6 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, NOT OUT! Outside off, Lewis goes for the sweep and loses his balance in doing so. The keeper removes the bails but Evin has not raised his foot. The replays confirm that.
4.1 : D Zadran to S Hetmyer, Serves it on a good length, well outside the line of off stump, Hetmyer prods forward and shoulders arms to it.
4.2 : D Zadran to S Hetmyer, Gets it in the gap. It's on the shorter side of the length close to off, Hetmyer with an angled bat cuts it past point and comes back for the third due to some good running.
4.3 : D Zadran to E Lewis, Banged in short again, once more quite close to the off stick, Lewis is on his toes to cut it away but gets it off the bottom edge on the leg side for a single.
4.4 : D Zadran to S Hetmyer, Moves a step across to this one, defends it with a closed face towards mid-wicket.
4.5 : D Zadran to S Hetmyer, Fullish in length this time, on the fourth stump line, a firm punch offered to mid off by the batsman.
4.6 : D Zadran to S Hetmyer, Well left. It's slanting across on a good length, Hetmyer watches the ball till the last second before letting it be.
5.1 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Lewis plays this to mid-wicket.
5.2 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Short ball, Lewis goes for the pull but misses it.
5.3 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Evin has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
5.4 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Tossed up, Lewis watchfully blocks it.
5.5 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Pushed towards covers by Lewis.
5.6 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Floats this around off, the ball spins into Lewis and hits him on the thigh pad as he tries to whip it.
6.1 : D Zadran to S Hetmyer, Length around off, Hetmyer taps it in front of him.
6.2 : D Zadran to S Hetmyer, Leg bye. On the pads of Hetmyer, he looks to work it on its way but misses it. The ball hits his pad and goes on the leg side as they steal a run.
6.3 : D Zadran to E Lewis, Outside off, moves away from Lewis who tries going hard at it. He misses his cut and the ball settles in the gloves of Shai Hope.
6.4 : D Zadran to E Lewis, Outside off, Lewis shoulders arms to this one.
6.5 : D Zadran to E Lewis, Great bowling from Zadran. He is making Lewis play at these. Another teasing ball around off, Lewis looks to fiddle with it but gets beaten. The ball goes to the keeper and the players go up in unison. There was a sound but that must have been of the bat hitting the thigh-pad flap.
6.6 : D Zadran to E Lewis, ANOTHER PEACH! Outside off, swings away from Lewis and he is beaten once more trying to block it.
7.1 : Ur Rahman to S Hetmyer, Driven through mid-off by Hetmyer.
7.2 : Ur Rahman to S Hetmyer, Outside off, Hetmyer gets beaten as he plays along the wrong line.
7.3 : Ur Rahman to S Hetmyer, Tossed up, Hetmyer flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
7.4 : Ur Rahman to S Hetmyer, Hetmyer shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
7.5 : Ur Rahman to S Hetmyer, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total.
7.6 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Wide. The ball is way wide on the leg side but the batsman still goes after it. Wide signalled by the umpire.
Ur Rahman to E Lewis, FOUR! Much needed for the Windies. Mujeeb bowls this on leg, Lewis gets in position and places it between square leg and short fine leg for a boundary.
8.1 : D Zadran to S Hetmyer, Short ball, Hetmyer pulls it to the fielder at mid-wicket.
8.2 : D Zadran to S Hetmyer, Outside off, Hetmyer cuts it to third man for one.
8.3 : D Zadran to E Lewis, Lewis drives this superbly to covers.
8.4 : D Zadran to E Lewis, FOUR! Good looking short from Lewis. Back of a length ball, Lewis whips this through mid-wicket for a boundary.
8.5 : D Zadran to E Lewis, FOUR! Almost chops it on! Around off, too close to cut. Lewis goes on his back foot and tries to slap this through the offside. The ball takes the inside edge, goes past the off pole and races away to the fine leg boundary.
8.6 : D Zadran to E Lewis, Outside off, Lewis fails to put bat on ball.
9.1 : Ur Rahman to S Hetmyer, Punched off the back foot by the batsman.
9.2 : Ur Rahman to S Hetmyer, FOUR! Elegantly done by Hetmyer. Outside off, Shimron opens the face of the bat and plays it to third man for a boundary.
9.3 : Ur Rahman to S Hetmyer, Driven through mid off by the batsman. One run added to the total.
9.4 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Tossed up, Lewis plays this to mid on.
9.5 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Lewis flicks this to square leg.
9.6 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Flat and short, Lewis cuts this to the deep point for two runs.
Powerplay two has been signalled by the umpire. A maximum of four fielders can now be outside the 30-yard circle till the 40th over.
Gulbadin Naib will bowl his first over.
10.1 : G Naib to S Hetmyer, Short ball banged in from around the wicket, angling in, Hetmyer pulls it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.
10.2 : G Naib to E Lewis, Just ahead of a length, outside off, Lewis checks his drive while playing it in front of cover.
10.3 : G Naib to E Lewis, Another short ball, another pull. This time to deep backward square leg. One run taken.
10.4 : G Naib to S Hetmyer, Straying on the pads, Shimron works it to the left of mid-wicket, but the fielder is quick to get to the ball.
10.5 : G Naib to S Hetmyer, Outside off on a good length, dabbed to point for an easy run.
10.6 : G Naib to E Lewis, Wide! Angling down the leg side, the batsman looks to get some bat on it but misses.
G Naib to E Lewis, Targeting the top of off stump, Lewis positions himself perfectly behind the line and blocks it out with a straight blade.
Mohammad Nabi to bowl from the other end.
11.1 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, OUT! Mohammad Nabi strikes gold with his very first ball of the game! What a moment. But, there's an inside edge which the umpire has missed. Oh, how Hetmyer would have liked the review here. Nabi comes from around the wicket and gives it some nice flight around off, it comes in with the drift and catches the front pad of the batsman. Loud shout and the appeal goes up. He looks disappointed and the replays rolling in show why. There's an inside edge before the ball hit
Marlon Samuels is the next batsman in.
11.2 : M Nabi to M Samuels, Straighter one outside off, played to point by Samuels for no run.
11.3 : M Nabi to M Samuels, Bit quicker through the air, outside off, Samuels is beaten for pace as he looks to cut this away.
11.4 : M Nabi to M Samuels, Makes connection this time, width offered outside off, it's run down towards third man for a couple.
11.5 : M Nabi to M Samuels, Shorter in length and outside off, cut away square on the off side for two more.
11.6 : M Nabi to M Samuels, Just short. Was in the air for a brief period but fell short of the fielder at cover. Samuels went a little early into the cover drive and almost got caught out.
12.1 : G Naib to E Lewis, Short ball, Lewis pulls this through mid-wicket for just one.
12.2 : G Naib to M Samuels, Slow ball outside off, Samuels tries to slap this on the off side but only manages to get a bottom edge to the keeper.
12.3 : G Naib to M Samuels, Outside off, chooses to leave the ball.
12.4 : G Naib to M Samuels, Pitched up, Samuels hits this hard through covers for a brace.
12.5 : G Naib to M Samuels, OUT! Evin Lewis is a goner! And it's all due to some excellent work from Najibullah Zadran. Outside off, Samuels cuts it to backward point and responds to his partner's call. Lewis doesn't run in a straight line and almost loses hope. Zadran moves to his left and hits the timber. Lewis is nowhere close to the crease and has to continue walking to the hut. Big wicket this for the men in blue as Lewis can be dangerous later on.
Shai Hope strides out to the center.
12.6 : G Naib to S Hope, Wide. The ball is way outside the off stump, easy leave for the batsman. The umpire signals a wide.
G Naib to S Hope, Outside off, Hope leaves it alone.
13.1 : M Nabi to M Samuels, Samuels gets an inside edge trying play it on the off side. The ball hits him on the pads.
13.2 : M Nabi to M Samuels, Samuels cuts this to the fielder at point.
13.3 : M Nabi to M Samuels, Marlon shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
13.4 : M Nabi to M Samuels, Samuels defends this in his crease.
13.5 : M Nabi to M Samuels, Samuels plays this to the fielder at mid on to collect.
13.6 : M Nabi to M Samuels, Tossed up, Marlon covers his timber and blocks it. Maiden over from Nabi.
14.1 : G Naib to S Hope, Short and wide outside off, Hope cracks this straight to point. Najibullah there has a shy at the bowler's end and scores a direct hit. Powerful throw, the middle stump went for a long cartwheel.
14.2 : G Naib to S Hope, Fuller in length and outside off, driven through covers for one.
14.3 : G Naib to M Samuels, Low dipping full toss outside off, hit through the covers. One more run taken.
14.4 : G Naib to S Hope, Shaping away from around off, some movement off the seam as Hope looks to run it down with an open face. Misses as he's beaten past the outside edge.
14.5 : G Naib to S Hope, Quite far away outside off, no shot offered on this occasion.
14.6 : G Naib to S Hope, Guided down to third man, rather comfortably and the over ends with a single.
Drinks break!
Sharafuddin Ashraf to roll his arm now.
15.1 : S Ashraf to S Hope, Gives this some air, Hope drives it through covers for a run.
15.2 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Tossed up, Samuels gets his front foot ahead and blocks it.
15.3 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Marlon plays this to mid on.
15.4 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Played to the point region by Samuels.
15.5 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Samuels hits this to mid-wicket and quickly moves to the other end. Rashid Khan collects it and quickly gets rid of it. Goes for a direct hit at the bowler's end but misses. Single completed.
15.6 : S Ashraf to S Hope, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Mohammad Nabi gets a change of ends.
16.1 : M Nabi to M Samuels, Short ball, Samuels punches this on the off side for one.
16.2 : M Nabi to S Hope, Hope shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
16.3 : M Nabi to S Hope, Tossed up, Hope plays it through mid on for one more.
16.4 : M Nabi to M Samuels, Short again, Samuels pushes it down the ground to rotate strike.
16.5 : M Nabi to S Hope, Floated ball, in line of the stumps, Hope blocks it.
16.6 : M Nabi to S Hope, Around off, Hope eases it on the off side to retain strike.
17.1 : S Ashraf to S Hope, Slower through the air, Hope gets behind the ball and defends it.
17.2 : S Ashraf to S Hope, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
17.3 : S Ashraf to S Hope, Hope drives this through the covers. One run added to the total.
17.4 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Driven towards the mid off region.
Another stumping appeal has been taken up. Looks like Samuels has brought his back foot in time. Let's see...
17.5 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, NOT OUT! Tossed up, outside off. Samuels gets low and goes for the big drive. He misses it and the keeper takes the bails off in a flash. Keeper appeals and the square leg umpire is not sure as he takes it up. However, on seeing the replays, Samuels has brought his back foot back in time.
17.6 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Marlon drives this to mid off to end the over.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman comes back into the attack.
18.1 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Toosed up, Hope gets forward and pushes this through covers for a run.
18.2 : Ur Rahman to M Samuels, Outside off, Samuels gets an edge on the off side and they pick up one more.
18.3 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Driven towards mid on.
18.4 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Outside off, Hope cuts it to the point fielder.
18.5 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Hope flicks this to the square leg fielder to collect.
18.6 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Floated ball, Hope drives it superbly to covers.
19.1 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, The batsman gets an inside edge and the ball hits him on the pads.
19.2 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Outside off, Samuels cuts it to the fielder at point.
19.3 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Marlon punches this to covers for nothing.
19.4 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Samuels has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
19.5 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Straighter one, Samuels gets forward and blocks it. The players appeal but this time the umpire notices the inside edge.
19.6 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. maiden over for Ashraf.
20.1 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Straighter one on off, Hope shuffles across and defends after getting behind the line.
20.2 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Turning away after landing around off, Shai Hope opens the face and dabs it to point.
20.3 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Quicker one and it's the off break this time. Hope can't pick him and as a result gets caught on the pads. Luckily for him, it was going down leg.
20.4 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Dropped short, allows Hope to go back and pull it along the ground to deep square leg for a single.
20.5 : Ur Rahman to M Samuels, Stays back, waits for the ball to come before punching it to long off. One more run added to the scoreboard.
20.6 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Floats it up outside off, driven through mid on to keep strike.
21.1 : S Ashraf to S Hope, Quicker one in line of the stumps, Hope defends it.
21.2 : S Ashraf to S Hope, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
21.3 : S Ashraf to S Hope, Outside off, Hope cuts it to backward point. The ball goes through the hands of the fielder stationed there and they pick up two runs.
21.4 : S Ashraf to S Hope, Hope drives it superbly to covers.
21.5 : S Ashraf to S Hope, The batsman has played the square drive. One run added to the total.
21.6 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, FOUR! Ashraf kept it tight until this time. Overpitches this and Samuels hits it back past the bowler along the turf for a boundary.
Rashid Khan to finally bowl his first over.
22.1 : R Khan to S Hope, Starts off with a googly. Hope fails to put bat on ball.
22.2 : R Khan to S Hope, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
22.3 : R Khan to S Hope, Outside off, Hope cuts it through backward point for a run.
22.4 : R Khan to M Samuels, Darts this outside off again, Marlon cannot find the gap this time. Gives it to the point fielder.
22.5 : R Khan to M Samuels, The batsman has driven it through mid off. The batsmen have run through for a single.
22.6 : R Khan to S Hope, Quicker ball, Hope covers his stumps, and blocks this.
23.1 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Tossed up, Samuels dances down but decides to block it.
23.2 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Slower through the air again, Samuels gets to the pitch of the ball and hits it through mid on for a couple of runs.
23.3 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Samuels defends this getting behind the ball.
23.4 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Around off, Samuels blocks this.
23.5 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Short ball, in line of the stumps, Samuels dances down the track and blocks this again.
23.6 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
24.1 : R Khan to S Hope, Pitched up ball, Hope drives this through mid off for a single.
24.2 : R Khan to M Samuels, Around off, Samuels strides forward and looks to drive this but gets an inside edge to it. The ball goes past the leg pole and towards fine leg. They cross for two.
24.3 : R Khan to M Samuels, Samuels cuts this from the outer half of the bat to the point fielder.
24.4 : R Khan to M Samuels, In line of the stumps, Marlon hits it back to the bowler.
24.5 : R Khan to M Samuels, Punched off the back foot by the batsman.
24.6 : R Khan to M Samuels, Outside off, Samuels plays this to the point region.
25.1 : S Ashraf to S Hope, Hope defends this from within the crease.
25.2 : S Ashraf to S Hope, Hope cuts it through point and moves to the other end.
25.3 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Samuels has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
25.4 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, After too many dot balls, Samuels dances down and looks to loft this one. The ball takes a thick edge and goes towards wide third man. They manage to come back for the third run.
25.5 : S Ashraf to S Hope, The batsman drives this through the covers for a single.
25.6 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, Defended off the front foot by Samuels presenting the full face of the bat.
26.1 : R Khan to S Hope, Full and outside off, driven off the outer half square on the off side.
26.2 : R Khan to S Hope, Looped right up there, just around off, Hope drives it down the ground for a single.
26.3 : R Khan to M Samuels, Full and spinning away, nice loop on it, eased back down to long off. Single taken.
26.4 : R Khan to S Hope, Wide! Darted well outside off, turning away, goes across the tramline and so, the umpire signals a wide.
R Khan to S Hope, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. They pick up a single.
26.5 : R Khan to M Samuels, Googly from the leggie, it's punched to long off. One more run to the total.
26.6 : R Khan to S Hope, LOUD LBW SHOUT! But the umpire remains unmoved. Is this out though? Looks like it to the naked eye, but maybe, just maybe, the impact is just outside the line of off stump. It's so close though. It's the googly again, around off, catches Hope by surprise who moves across to defend. Is caught on the pads and the Afghans go up in a loud appeal. Deary me... have to feel for the umpire. Has only a split second to make the call and the margin is so less. Hope survives, that's
27.1 : S Ashraf to M Samuels, That's more like it. Good intent shown by Samuels. Comes down the track and hits it to long on for a run.
27.2 : S Ashraf to S Hope, Outside off, Hope plays it to point.
27.3 : S Ashraf to S Hope, Tossed up, Hope pushes this for the cover fielder to collect.
27.4 : S Ashraf to S Hope, Around off, Hope gives it to the fielder at point.
27.5 : S Ashraf to S Hope, Pitched up, Hope gets forward and drives it to covers.
27.6 : S Ashraf to S Hope, Drifting into Hope who flicks it away for a run to end the over. Spin from both ends is making Windies struggle to make runs.
Mohammad Nabi comes back to bowl.
28.1 : M Nabi to S Hope, Darts this on the pads of Hope. He flicks this to square leg for one.
28.2 : M Nabi to M Samuels, Short ball, Samuels pulls this to deep mid-wicket but for just one.
28.3 : M Nabi to S Hope, Short again, Hope rocks back and punches the ball on the on side to rotate strike.
28.4 : M Nabi to M Samuels, FOUR! Finally a short ball has been punished. Half tracker from Nabi, Samuels pulls this over mid-wicket for a boundary.
28.5 : M Nabi to M Samuels, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
28.6 : M Nabi to M Samuels, Flat again on off, Samuels pushes this to the off side for a run. With this brings the 50-run stand between these two. It's come off 99 balls. Good build up from the two. They now need to play a little faster.
Rashid Khan gets a change of ends.
29.1 : R Khan to M Samuels, Driven through mid off by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
29.2 : R Khan to S Hope, Hope drives this back to the bowler.
29.3 : R Khan to S Hope, Hope flicks this off his pads to square leg for one.
29.4 : R Khan to M Samuels, Tossed up, Samuels hits it down the ground.
29.5 : R Khan to M Samuels, Beauty from Rashid. Bowls a wrong one around off and it spins back into Samuels. He goes for a forward defense but is beaten.
29.6 : R Khan to M Samuels, Driven towards the mid on region. The batsmen have run through for a single.
30.1 : M Nabi to M Samuels, Defended off the back foot by Samuels.
30.2 : M Nabi to M Samuels, Short ball, Samuels pulls this in front of square on the leg side for a run.
30.3 : M Nabi to S Hope, Hope works this to mid on.
30.4 : M Nabi to S Hope, Gets this past mid on, as they change ends.
30.5 : M Nabi to M Samuels, OUT! Just when we thought that the Windies will now step on the gas after a good partnership, they lose another wicket, yet again. Short ball, Samuels pulls this over mid-wicket but doesn't get enough distance to go all the way. Gulbadin Naib, hares from deep square leg to his left and takes a very good catch. A wicket for Afghanistan just at the right time. Windies will now have to build another partnership.
The skipper, Jason Holder, is the new batsman in.
30.6 : M Nabi to S Hope, Hope drives this to covers to retain strike.
31.1 : R Khan to S Hope, Flatter delivery just outside off, Hope meets it with the full face of the bat.
31.2 : R Khan to S Hope, Stays deep inside his crease and keeps it out safely.
31.3 : R Khan to S Hope, Shahzad appeals loudly for a caught behind but nothing from the umpire. Flighted leg break outside off, Hope goes after it and is beaten past the edge. The umpire doesn't think there's an edge so shuts the appeal down.
31.4 : R Khan to S Hope, Pitches it up, outside the off stump, Hope leans into the shot and drives it through towards sweeper cover. Picks up two runs for doing so.
31.5 : R Khan to S Hope, Another drive, this time down to long on. Just a single this time.
31.6 : R Khan to J Holder, Short and flat, going on straight, whipped off the back foot through the mid-wicket area for a single.
32.1 : M Nabi to J Holder, Worked away to mid-wicket again. No run this time.
32.2 : M Nabi to J Holder, Leading edge which falls safely. Jason Holder is a lucky man. It's full around his pads, he closes the face early and spoons the edge over the bowler's head. Single taken.
32.3 : M Nabi to S Hope, Uses the depth of the crease well to block this away from danger.
32.4 : M Nabi to S Hope, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
32.5 : M Nabi to S Hope, Shorter outside off, it's tapped in front of point. Looks for the single but doesn't get it.
32.6 : M Nabi to S Hope, A brace to end the over. Manipulates the ball in front of square leg and come back for the second.
33.1 : R Khan to J Holder, Leans ahead to the full ball and knocks it through mid on for one.
33.2 : R Khan to S Hope, The wrong 'un which spins into the batsman, Hope works it towards mid-wicket.
33.3 : R Khan to S Hope, Flat, short and outside off, Shai Hope forces the punch through the cover region and takes one.
33.4 : R Khan to J Holder, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
33.5 : R Khan to J Holder, FOUR! Beautiful shot! Rashid Khan throws this wide outside off, Holder uses the width and crashes it square past point for a boundary.
33.6 : R Khan to J Holder, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries to end the over! This will please and provide some much-needed relief to the Windies. Jason Holder takes a big stride forward, gets close to the pitch of the ball and firmly drives it through the covers for a boundary.
34.1 : M Nabi to S Hope, Hits this to the fielder at mid-wicket.
34.2 : M Nabi to S Hope, Gets it past the man at mid-wicket this time. They pick up a run.
34.3 : M Nabi to J Holder, Another shot played in the same region. A yes-no from the batsmen but Hope gets in, in time.
34.4 : M Nabi to S Hope, Hope flicks this to the square leg fielder.
34.5 : M Nabi to S Hope, On middle and leg, Hope plays it towards mid-wicket.
34.6 : M Nabi to S Hope, Played to the point region by Hope.
The second drinks break has been taken on the field.
Dawlat Zadran comes for his second spell from the other end.
35.1 : D Zadran to J Holder, Starts off bowling one on the pads of Holder who flicks it away to give Hope strike.
35.2 : D Zadran to S Hope, Around off, hope opens the face of the bat and guides it to third man for to rotate strike.
35.3 : D Zadran to J Holder, Wide. Short ball down the leg, Holder goes for the pull but misses. The keeper gets excited but the umpire extends his arms to signal a wide.
D Zadran to J Holder, Holder gets this past point for a run.
35.4 : D Zadran to S Hope, In line of the stumps, Hope defends this of his back foot.
35.5 : D Zadran to S Hope, Back of a length ball, Hope goes back and pushes this to mid on for one more.
35.6 : D Zadran to J Holder, No ball! For a full toss above waist height. Holder taps it through mid-wicket for one. Zadran immediately apologises to Holder after the ball.
Free Hit coming up... Third man and fine leg come up.
D Zadran to S Hope, Excellent ball to bowl the free hit. Zadran yorks Hope and does not allow him to free his arms. Hope does well to get his bat down in time. The ball goes towards mid-wicket and they pick up a run.
36.1 : M Nabi to S Hope, Hope works this off his pads behind square.
36.2 : M Nabi to S Hope, Gets this past mid-wicket for a run.
36.3 : M Nabi to J Holder, Hits this straight to the mid-wicket fielder.
36.4 : M Nabi to J Holder, Wide! But a stumping chance goes begging. Nabi sees Holder charging and fires this down the leg. Holder misses the ball and so does the keeper. The ball goes to fine leg and they pick up a run.
M Nabi to S Hope, Short ball, hope rocks back and punches this through mid on for a run.
36.5 : M Nabi to J Holder, SIX! Gets hold of this one! Tossed up ball, Holder slog sweeps this over mid-wicket for the first biggie of the game. Windies badly needs more of this.
The ball was hit big by Holder. It's lost and hence a replacement is brought in.
36.6 : M Nabi to J Holder, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.
37.1 : D Zadran to J Holder, Full and straight from Dawlat, Holder hits it back to the bowler who throws it back at the striker's end and scores a direct hit. No harm done, the Windies skipper is well inside the crease. Holder didn't take the run off the ricochet because the ball first went off him before hitting the stumps.
37.2 : D Zadran to J Holder, Marginally ahead of a length, attacking the stumps, a solid punch down to long on earns Jason Holder a single.
37.3 : D Zadran to S Hope, Short and outside off, crashed through the covers for a couple of runs.
37.4 : D Zadran to S Hope, Offers some width outside off, it's hit to point. Straight to the fielder so no run taken.
37.5 : D Zadran to S Hope, Nice, controlled pull from Shai Hope. Places it along the ground towards deep backward square leg for a single.
37.6 : D Zadran to J Holder, Full and attacking the stumps, played through mid on for a single.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman comes back on.
38.1 : Ur Rahman to J Holder, Tossed up on middle and off, hit to long on. One run added to the total.
38.2 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Short and flat around off, flat-batted to long on to rotate strike.
38.3 : Ur Rahman to J Holder, Almost! Holder could have been gone. Short and spinning in, Holder goes back and whips it aerially towards short mid-wicket. It falls just short of the fielder there.
38.4 : Ur Rahman to J Holder, Worked away into the leg side again. Dot ball.
38.5 : Ur Rahman to J Holder, Holder drives this through the covers. One run added to the total.
38.6 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Rashid Khan brings himself back on.
39.1 : R Khan to J Holder, Floats it right up there, played to mid on for no run.
39.2 : R Khan to J Holder, Holder plays for the straighter one but it turns away. Beats the outside edge and thuds into the keeper's gloves.
39.3 : R Khan to J Holder, A big lunge forward and a simple drive down to long off. Single taken.
39.4 : R Khan to S Hope, Absolute ripper from Rashid Khan! Lands it around off and makes it go away from Shai Hope. The batsman can only hang his bat and thank his stars he didn't edge it.
39.5 : R Khan to S Hope, Comes forward and blocks it out off the front foot.
39.6 : R Khan to S Hope, Stays right behind the line and guards it out solidly.
Powerplay 3 signalled. A maximum 0f 5 fielders will be allowed outside the ring till the end of the innings.
40.1 : Ur Rahman to J Holder, Short and flat, swatted to long off for one.
40.2 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, The 50-run stand is up. These two need to carry on. Swept away on the leg side for another run.
40.3 : Ur Rahman to J Holder, OUT! Another solid partnership is broken the moment is was looking promising. Fuller on the stumps, Holder goes downtown, looking to clear long on. Not enough height on it and it's straight down the throat of Najibullah who makes no mistake.
Rovman Powell is next in.
40.4 : Ur Rahman to R Powell, Big shout for a leg before! The inside edge saves him though. Googly which spins back in, catches Powell's pads but not before taking the inside edge. Would have been gone otherwise. Lucky.
40.5 : Ur Rahman to R Powell, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
40.6 : Ur Rahman to R Powell, Terrific over comes to an end. Outside off, turns and squares Powell up. Beats the edge as it goes into the keeper's gloves.
41.1 : R Khan to S Hope, Pushed quicker through the air outside off, beats the edge easily.
41.2 : R Khan to S Hope, Leg spinner on middle and off, Hope is well forward in defense.
41.3 : R Khan to S Hope, Wide outside off, no real spin on this one, Hope kneels down to sweep it away but misses to connect.
41.4 : R Khan to S Hope, Stifled appeal for Shahzad but nothing from the umpire. Spinning away from outside off, Hope plays for it only to get beaten. The keeper appeals, but pretty sure even he know he's not going to get anything from the umpire.
41.5 : R Khan to S Hope, Comes half-forward to this fuller length delivery and meets it with the full face of the bat.
41.6 : R Khan to S Hope, Drives it through mid off and takes one to end the over.
42.1 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Outside off, quite full in length, the batsman drags the sweep through to deep mid-wicket for a single.
42.2 : Ur Rahman to R Powell, Short and outside off, no spin on it, Powell punches it down to long on for a single.
42.3 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, OUT! HOPE DEPARTS! Wanted to up the ante and score the big ones, walks back in that quest. Tossed up on off, Shai kneels down and slogs it towards long on. Najibullah runs to his left and takes a good catch. That brings an end to a rather snail-paced knock from Shai Hope.
Carlos Brathwaite is next in.
42.4 : Ur Rahman to C Brathwaite, Wrong 'un dropped short and outside off, turns back in as Brathwaite goes deep inside the crease to defend.
42.5 : Ur Rahman to C Brathwaite, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
42.6 : Ur Rahman to C Brathwaite, Quicker leg break outside off, Carlos takes a big stride forward before defending it down on the off side.
Sharafuddin Ashraf to bowl again.
43.1 : S Ashraf to R Powell, Quite full and in line of the stumps, the batsman comes forward and wristily flicks it through mid-wicket.
43.2 : S Ashraf to C Brathwaite, FOUR! That's a good shot! Fraction straight in line, slightly fuller in length, which allows Brathwaite to kneel forward and across and sweep it through backward square leg for a boundary.
43.3 : S Ashraf to C Brathwaite, OUT! Another wicket down for the Windies! Tossed up again, Brathwaite once again goes for the slog sweep but top edges it this time. It balloons up and goes towards Rahmat Shah at deep square leg, where he takes a simple catch.
Ashley Nurse will bat next.
43.4 : S Ashraf to R Powell, Slower through the air outside off, Nurse comes forward and blocks it down safely.
43.5 : S Ashraf to R Powell, Wrists this full ball to long on and gets off strike with a single.
43.6 : S Ashraf to A Nurse, Goes inside out with this, lofts it over covers with the spin and comes back for the second.
Rashid Khan is back.
44.1 : R Khan to R Powell, Oooh... that was close! Impact the issue here. Immediately starts off with the googly as he tosses it up around off, it spins back in and catches Powell on the front pad. The umpire turns down the appeal. Rashid Khan is surprised how that's not been given out. Smiles at the end of it though.
44.2 : R Khan to R Powell, Hasn't picked this one either. The leg break this time, Powell looks to flick it on the leg side but gets a leading edge towards point.
44.3 : R Khan to R Powell, Plays with the turn and dabs it to backward point.
44.4 : R Khan to R Powell, The batsman has swept that one through the leg side.
44.5 : R Khan to R Powell, OUT! Catching practice for the Afghans! Tossed up, Powell gets low and sweeps it aerially. Straight into the hands of Mujeeb Ur Rahman who takes it with ease.
Keemo Paul, the debutant, will bat now.
44.6 : R Khan to K Paul, Works it to point. Dot ball to end the over.
45.1 : S Ashraf to A Nurse, Spinning away on a bit of a shorter length, slapped off the back foot through covers for a double.
45.2 : S Ashraf to A Nurse, Sliding into the batsman, worked away on the leg side for a single.
45.3 : S Ashraf to K Paul, One more lbw appeal, which is disallowed. Tossed up around off, it's drifting in as Paul steps out to play. It catches his pads but the appeal is ignored. Probably because he was too far down the track.
45.4 : S Ashraf to K Paul, Doesn't look like there's going be a leg before given today. This is quite close as well. Quicker one on middle and leg, catches Paul who's stuck deep inside his crease. The umpire maybe feels height is the issue.
45.5 : S Ashraf to K Paul, Knocks it into the covers and crosses over.
45.6 : S Ashraf to A Nurse, Short and wide, it's cut hard but straight to backward point.
Mohammad Nabi to bowl.
46.1 : M Nabi to K Paul, Comes from around the wicket and attacks the stumps, worked away square on the leg side for a side.
46.2 : M Nabi to K Paul, Flatter ball on middle and leg, worked away through backward square leg. Single taken.
46.3 : M Nabi to A Nurse, Straighter in line once again, another nudge and one more to the total.
46.4 : M Nabi to K Paul, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single.
46.5 : M Nabi to A Nurse, Similar ball, similar shot. Same number of runs taken.
46.6 : M Nabi to K Paul, Short ball sliding across, Keemo Paul goes back and whips this through mid-wicket. Runs the first one hard so is able to come back for the second easily. Good running.
Rashid Khan will have a change of ends.
47.1 : R Khan to A Nurse, Looped leg break on middle stump, driven down the ground, towards long on. Single taken.
47.2 : R Khan to K Paul, The wrong 'un, played with the spin into the leg side for one run.
47.3 : R Khan to A Nurse, Leg break on off, landed on a driving length, Nurse is forward in defense and gets beaten.
47.4 : R Khan to A Nurse, The batsman defends it from within the crease.
47.5 : R Khan to A Nurse, Another one ripping away, it's past the edge and beats the attempted flick.
47.6 : R Khan to A Nurse, Quicker on the stumps, goes off the inside edge on the leg side. A good spell from the skipper comes to an end. He finishes with figures of 10-1-31-1.
48.1 : M Nabi to K Paul, Some extra bounce on this occasion. Beats the edge and thuds into the gloves of the keeper.
48.2 : M Nabi to K Paul, Nudges this 'round the corner and picks up a single as a result.
48.3 : M Nabi to A Nurse, The ball hits the batsman low on the pads. The batsmen have run through for a single. Leg byes given by the umpire.
48.4 : M Nabi to K Paul, Full and attacking the stumps, hit straight back to the bowler.
48.5 : M Nabi to K Paul, Spinning in, on middle and leg, hit on the pads as he tried to sweep.
48.6 : M Nabi to K Paul, Driven down to long off for a single.
Dawlat Zadran to bowl the last over of the innings.
49.1 : D Zadran to K Paul, No ball! High full toss around off, hit down to long on for a single. The umpire signals no ball for height.
Free Hit coming up...
D Zadran to A Nurse, The catch is taken but it won't matter. Full and outside off, Nurse slices this towards deep backward point where Naib pouches it. Single taken.
49.2 : D Zadran to K Paul, SIX! That's a big hit! Windies can use all they can get. Full and in the slot, Keemo Paul slogs it high and mighty over mid-wicket for a maximum.
Keemo Paul to have a change of bats.
49.3 : D Zadran to K Paul, Short ball outside off, Paul with a swing and a miss. Nurse sets off for the run as Shahzad aims for the stumps at his end. Misses, poor attempt really. Good running though.
49.4 : D Zadran to A Nurse, Excellent bowling. In the blockhole, tailing in on leg, raps Nurse low on the pads and goes on the off side. Leg bye taken.
49.5 : D Zadran to K Paul, Short and angling in, pulled away over square leg. One run is stolen by the batsmen as the man in the deep mops it up.
49.6 : D Zadran to A Nurse, Short ball outside off, Ashley Nurse looks to scoop it over the keeper's head but gets hit maybe on the shoulder. But the umpire signals a run so there might have been some bat involved. It rolls away behind square on the off side and a quick single is taken. WEST INDIES FINISH ON 197/8!
A good bowling performance from the Afghans as they've restricted the Windies to under 200. They started off by picking wickets, but more than anything, where they were successful was that they never let the opposition score runs freely. Clogged the scoring rate, built pressure and sooner rather than later, got wickets at regular intervals. All the spinners got a piece of the action, with Mujeeb Ur Rahman taking a 3-fer and Mohammad Nabi taking 2. It was a good outing in the field for them.
The Windies will be disappointed with themselves. They never had any partnerships going, and the two 50-stands which came to be, took a lot of time to form. Shai Hope in particular could be held accountable as he never really got going and scored at a slow rate. Jason Holder came in, was playing briskly, but got out soon after. Now, it won't be an easy task to stop the Afghans, but a couple of early wickets and you never know. Join in for the run chase in just a bit.
Sharafuddin Ashraf is down for a chat. He says that he feels good contributing with the wickets as they have world class bowlers in their side. On chasing the target and then being asked about the wicket he says that the track is flat and the players are high on confidence after some good bowling. Ends by saying that if they get a good partnership at the top, they will chase the target.
0.0 : Welcome back for the chase. Afghanistan need 199 runs in 50 overs at just under 4RPO to get their first points on the board. The players and the umpires make their way out in the middle. Mohammad Shahzad and Javed Ahmadi will open for the Blues while Jason Holder will bowl the first over for the Windies. Two slips in place. Here we go...
0.1 : J Holder to M Shahzad, Starts off with a length ball just outside the off stump, Shahzad shoulders arms to it to let the keeper collect it.
0.2 : J Holder to M Shahzad, Short ball, Shahzad pulls it to square leg to get off the mark.
0.3 : J Holder to J Ahmadi, Length around off, the ball gets an edge and flies past wide of the slip cordon as they pick up a run.
0.4 : J Holder to M Shahzad, FOUR! Something you will expect from Shahzad up front. Back of a length ball, Shahzad flat bats this over the bowler's head for the first boundary.
0.5 : J Holder to M Shahzad, Wide. The ball is down the leg side but the batsman still goes after it. The umpire has signalled a wide.
J Holder to M Shahzad, Wide. Shahzad tries flicking a ball that is down the leg side. The umpire signals another wide.
J Holder to M Shahzad, Better line from Holder. Gets this in line of the stumps and Shahzad blocks this.
0.6 : J Holder to M Shahzad, Back of a length, outside off, Shahzad blocks this from within his crease.
Keemo Paul will bowl from the other end.
1.1 : K Paul to J Ahmadi, Wide! Paul starts by bowling it wide outside off. Easy leave for Ahmadi.
K Paul to J Ahmadi, OUT! First legal ball and first international wicket for Keemo Paul. What a way to press the restart button after starting by spraying one wide outside off. Serves this a tad fuller and the ball jags back in after pitching. Ahmadi is late in his flick and the ball goes on to hit his pad. After a strong appeal the umpire decides to raise his finger. The Afghans lose their first wicket in the second over itself.
Rahmat Shah is the next man in.
1.2 : K Paul to R Shah, Outside off, Shah lets it go to the keeper.
1.3 : K Paul to R Shah, Makes Paul play at it. Bowls this in line of the stump, Shah blocks it.
1.4 : K Paul to R Shah, Wide! Fourth wide in just the second over. Down the leg again. Shai Hope moves to his left and collects it.
K Paul to R Shah, Outside off, Shah fails to put bat on ball.
1.5 : K Paul to R Shah, Length around off, Shah defends this with a straight bat.
1.6 : K Paul to R Shah, Outside off, Shah guides this to third man for one.
2.1 : J Holder to R Shah, Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
2.2 : J Holder to R Shah, Wide. Too many extras already from Windies. Another one down the leg side for the umpire to signal a wide.
J Holder to R Shah, Follows it up with a ball in line of the stumps, Shah watchfully defends it.
2.3 : J Holder to R Shah, Played to the point fielder by Shah.
2.4 : J Holder to R Shah, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
2.5 : J Holder to R Shah, Shah leans forward and solidly defends it.
2.6 : J Holder to R Shah, Edge and in the gap. Holder serves this around off. Shah pokes at it and gets a thick edge to it. The ball flies between the fielder at gully and the slip cordon towards the third man region. The fielder from the deep runs to his left and makes a good stop to restrict it to two.
3.1 : K Paul to M Shahzad, The batsman gets an inside edge and the ball hits him on the pads.
3.2 : K Paul to M Shahzad, Shahzad shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
3.3 : K Paul to M Shahzad, Effort ball from Paul. Shahzad goes for the pull but misses it. The players think he has got an edge to that and so they try their luck with an appeal. The umpire though, doesn't agree with them.
3.4 : K Paul to M Shahzad, Fuller in length, around off, Shahzad lofts it over covers for two.
3.5 : K Paul to M Shahzad, Shahzad covers his timber and blocks this.
3.6 : K Paul to M Shahzad, The batsman has driven it through mid-on. The batsmen have run through for a single.
4.1 : J Holder to M Shahzad, OUT! The attacking Shahzad has to depart. He gives room, Holder sees him charging and darts this outside off. Shahzad only manages to get it low on the bat and the ball skies high towards mid-off. Rovman Powell gets under it and takes a simple catch.
0.0 : Samiullah Shenwari is the new man in.
4.2 : J Holder to R Shah, Outside off, Shah decides to leaves it alone.
4.3 : J Holder to R Shah, Length around off, moves a bit while swinging. Shah fails to put bat on ball.
4.4 : J Holder to R Shah, Driven through the covers by the batsman.
4.5 : J Holder to R Shah, Back of a length ball, Shah punches this square of the wicket and after some good running they manage to come back for the third.
4.6 : J Holder to S Shenwari, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone.
5.1 : K Paul to R Shah, Outside off, Shah pokes at it but misses.
5.2 : K Paul to R Shah, Length around off, another play and miss by Shah.
5.3 : K Paul to R Shah, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
5.4 : K Paul to R Shah, Shah has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
5.5 : K Paul to R Shah, In line of the stumps, Shah blocks it.
5.6 : K Paul to R Shah, Defended off the back foot by Shah.
6.1 : J Holder to S Shenwari, On the legs of Shenwari, who flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.
6.2 : J Holder to R Shah, Pitched up, Shah drives this past covers to rotate strike.
6.3 : J Holder to S Shenwari, Outside off, Shenwari cuts it to the fielder at point.
6.4 : J Holder to S Shenwari, Outside off, Shenwari slashes at it hard but misses.
6.5 : J Holder to S Shenwari, FOUR! Glorious cover drive! Pitched up, around off, Shenwari leans forward and drives it through covers for a boundary.
6.6 : J Holder to S Shenwari, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single.
7.1 : K Paul to S Shenwari, Length outside off, Shenwari shoulders arms to let that one through.
7.2 : K Paul to S Shenwari, Shenwari flicks this for the fielder at mid-wicket to collect.
7.3 : K Paul to S Shenwari, Drags his length back, Shenwari pulls this through square leg for a run.
7.4 : K Paul to R Shah, Gets this past the fielder at mid-wicket this time. Flicks this off his pads and comes back for the second.
7.5 : K Paul to R Shah, Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
7.6 : K Paul to R Shah, Outside off, too wide for Shah to make contact.
8.1 : J Holder to S Shenwari, In line of the stumps, Shenwari plays that into the ground.
8.2 : J Holder to S Shenwari, Shenwari misses his flick and is hit on his thigh-pad.
8.3 : J Holder to S Shenwari, Shenwari happy to defend this from his crease.
8.4 : J Holder to S Shenwari, Bangs this short and Shenwari pulls this to deep mid-wicket for a brace.
8.5 : J Holder to S Shenwari, Around off, Shenwari taps this in front of him.
8.6 : J Holder to S Shenwari, Outside off, Shenwari watches it go through to the keeper.
9.1 : K Paul to R Shah, Shah drives this to the mid off region.
9.2 : K Paul to R Shah, Short ball, Shah pulls this front of square to rotate strike.
9.3 : K Paul to S Shenwari, Length delivery quite close to off, it is blocked with the full face of the bat.
9.4 : K Paul to S Shenwari, Fuller in length and hurled outside off, Shenwari leans ahead and drives it through the covers for a couple of runs.
9.5 : K Paul to S Shenwari, Around off, Shenwari drives this to the cover fielder.
9.6 : K Paul to S Shenwari, Driven towards the mid off region. They pick up a single.
Powerplay 2 has been signalled. A maximum of 4 fielders will be allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the 40th over.
10.1 : N Miller to S Shenwari, Tosses it up, Shenwari plays this to mid-wicket to move to the other end.
10.2 : N Miller to R Shah, Gives this one air too, Shah goes forward and pushes this through covers to rotate strike.
10.3 : N Miller to S Shenwari, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
10.4 : N Miller to S Shenwari, On the pads of Shenwari who flicks it to square leg for a dot.
10.5 : N Miller to S Shenwari, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
10.6 : N Miller to R Shah, Pitched up, Shah leans ahead and plays it through covers to retain strike.
Carlos Brathwaite is into the attack now.
11.1 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, Back of a length ball, Shah plays it to mid-wicket.
11.2 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, Around off, Shah blocks it to covers.
11.3 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, In line of the stump, Shah defends this off his back foot.
11.4 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, Short and wide, Shah cuts it past backward point for a single.
11.5 : C Brathwaite to S Shenwari, Shenwari punches this to mid on.
11.6 : C Brathwaite to S Shenwari, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
12.1 : N Miller to R Shah, Slower ball around off, Shah gets to the pitch of the ball and blocks it.
12.2 : N Miller to R Shah, In line of the stumps, Shah is solid in his defence.
12.3 : N Miller to R Shah, Flighted ball, Shah eases this through mid on for one.
12.4 : N Miller to S Shenwari, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
12.5 : N Miller to S Shenwari, Shenwari has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single.
12.6 : N Miller to R Shah, Shah drives this past mid off and will keep strike for the next over.
13.1 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, FOUR! Beautifully done by Shah. Over pitched ball, Shah gets forward and gracefully pushes this down the ground for a boundary.
13.2 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, Outside off, Shah goes for a push and is beaten.
13.3 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.
13.4 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, FOUR! Second boundary of the innings! And with this comes up the team fifty. Over pitched again, on the off pole, Shah superbly drives this through covers to the fence.
13.5 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, The batsman defends it from within the crease.
13.6 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, FOUR! The Afghans are getting some momentum to the partnership now. Short ball, Shah pulls it towards wide third man for another boundary.
14.1 : N Miller to S Shenwari, FOUR! back-to-back boundaries for the men in blue. Miller bowls this around off, Shenwari gets low and sweeps this from the off stump away to the square leg boundary and the ball rolls to the ropes.
14.2 : N Miller to S Shenwari, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
14.3 : N Miller to S Shenwari, DROPPED! Gayle has put down Shenwari. When you are defending a low target, you expect to hang on to these. Flat ball, too close to cut but Shenwari still goes for it. Gets a fat edge to it and the ball hits the pads of Hope and quickly rushes onto Gayle. The big man is a tad slow on his reflexes and puts this down.
14.4 : N Miller to S Shenwari, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
14.5 : N Miller to R Shah, Shah has hit this through mid on and will get one for it.
14.6 : N Miller to S Shenwari, The batsman defends it from within the crease.
15.1 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, No run.
15.2 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, Pitched up, Shah works it to mid on.
15.3 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, Shah taps this in front of him.
15.4 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, Short ball, Shah pulls this to square leg for a run.
15.5 : C Brathwaite to S Shenwari, Another short ball, Shenwari pulls this one again to the square leg fielder for one more.
15.6 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, Outside off, Shah cuts it past point to retain strike.
16.1 : N Miller to R Shah, Sliding in and targeting the top of off stump, Rahmat Shah goes back and punches it down to long on for a single.
16.2 : N Miller to S Shenwari, Slower through the air this time, attacking the time on a fuller length, it's played back to the bowler.
16.3 : N Miller to S Shenwari, Just behind a driving length, just outside off, Shenwari comes half-forward and meets it with a straight blade.
16.4 : N Miller to S Shenwari, Drifts it on the pads, it's worked around the corner where Holder collects it neatly and swiftly.
16.5 : N Miller to S Shenwari, Stays right behind the line, inside the crease and guards it out.
16.6 : N Miller to S Shenwari, Nice and straight from the spinner, Shenwari once again plays it back to the bowler easily.
17.1 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, On the fuller side of the length, outside off, Shah leans ahead, a little across and then offers a drive down towards mid on.
17.2 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, Short ball angling down, pulled away down towards fine leg for a comfortable single. The 50-run stand is up with that.
17.3 : C Brathwaite to S Shenwari, Landed on a good length, on the fifth stump line, punch solidly straight back to Brathwaite.
17.4 : C Brathwaite to S Shenwari, Not much pace on this, too straight in line so it allows the batsman to tuck it through to deep backward square leg for a single.
17.5 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, Comes wide of the crease and angles a length ball in around off, Rahmat stands tall and punches it back down the track.
17.6 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, Wide! Down leg, comfortably away from the batsman and the umpire raises his arms.
C Brathwaite to R Shah, Bowled on the stumps, played off the inner half in front of square leg. Dot ball to end the over.
Drinks are on the field.
18.1 : N Miller to S Shenwari, Tossed up, Shenwari plays it back to the bowler.
18.2 : N Miller to S Shenwari, Short ball, Shenwari punches this on the offside for one. 138 more needed.
18.3 : N Miller to R Shah, Driven towards the mid-off region. The batsmen have run through for a single.
18.4 : N Miller to S Shenwari, Shenwari has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
18.5 : N Miller to S Shenwari, Pitched up, Shenwari pushes this through covers for a run.
18.6 : N Miller to R Shah, FOUR! Floats this around off, Shah paddle sweeps this down the leg side for a boundary.
19.1 : C Brathwaite to S Shenwari, Fuller ball, in line of the stumps, Shenwari plays it back to the bowler.
19.2 : C Brathwaite to S Shenwari, Around off, Shenwari gets behind it and blocks it.
19.3 : C Brathwaite to S Shenwari, FOUR BYES! Short ball, drifting into Shenwari who ducks under it. Shai Hope dives to this left but still couldn't manage to make a stop.
19.4 : C Brathwaite to S Shenwari, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. One run added to the total.
19.5 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, Back of a length ball, Shah looks to tuck it away but the ball has hit him on the thigh pad.
19.6 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, Pitched up, Shah plays it along the turf for mid on.
20.1 : N Miller to S Shenwari, Shenwari has flicked the ball off his pads.
20.2 : N Miller to S Shenwari, On the pads of Shenwari, who flicks it to the deep square region for a couple.
20.3 : N Miller to S Shenwari, OUT! This time Gayle holds on! On the second attempt but that doesn't matter. Miller gives this ball air, Shenwari comes forward to drive but gets a thick edge to it. The ball goes to Gayle at slip who fumbles at the first attempt but collects it safely after that. Windies have broken this partnership, will they get another one quickly?
Mohammad Nabi strides out in the middle.
20.4 : N Miller to M Nabi, Nabi opens the face of the bat and helps it to third man. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.
20.5 : N Miller to M Nabi, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.
20.6 : N Miller to M Nabi, Nabi has driven it through mid off. The batsmen have run through for a single.
21.1 : C Brathwaite to M Nabi, Outside off, Nabi cuts it to the fielder at point.
21.2 : C Brathwaite to M Nabi, Outside off again, Nabi cannot find the gap at gives this too, to the fielder at point.
21.3 : C Brathwaite to M Nabi, This time he guides it finer to third man for a run.
21.4 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, Short ball, Shah pulls this to square leg for one more.
21.5 : C Brathwaite to M Nabi, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
21.6 : C Brathwaite to M Nabi, Outside off, Nabi cuts it to backward point.
22.1 : N Miller to R Shah, Slider around off, kept out off the inner half.
22.2 : N Miller to R Shah, Leans ahead to this full ball and knocks it to mid off.
22.3 : N Miller to R Shah, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
22.4 : N Miller to R Shah, Easily done. Rahmat clears his front leg and then eases the full ball down to long on for a single.
22.5 : N Miller to M Nabi, Slower through the air around off, met with a straight blade in defense.
22.6 : N Miller to M Nabi, Worked against the spin through mid-wicket for a double.
Jason Holder back on to bowl.
23.1 : J Holder to R Shah, Bowls this full on the legs of Shah who hits it to mid on.
23.2 : J Holder to R Shah, Back of a length ball, Shah punches this to covers.
23.3 : J Holder to R Shah, Back of a length ball, Shah defends this from within his crease.
23.4 : J Holder to R Shah, Short ball, the ball hits Shah on his thigh pad who misses his flick. They steal a run.
23.5 : J Holder to M Nabi, On the legs of Nabi who misses his flick again.
23.6 : J Holder to M Nabi, Connects and goes for a quick single towards square leg. Nurse the fielder, has a shy at strikers end. Had he hit, Shah would have been short of his ground.
24.1 : N Miller to M Nabi, Nabi has driven it straight down the ground.
24.2 : N Miller to M Nabi, Nabi flicks it away with a wristy shot for none.
24.3 : N Miller to M Nabi, Fuller in length, Nabi drives this along the turf.
24.4 : N Miller to M Nabi, Short ball, Nabi pushes this on the off side for one.
24.5 : N Miller to R Shah, Shah drives this through mid off for one more.
24.6 : N Miller to M Nabi, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single. 102 needed for Afghan now.
Keemo Paul comes back into the attack.
25.1 : K Paul to M Nabi, Nabi gets behind this ball and pushes it to mid on.
25.2 : K Paul to M Nabi, Tossed up, Nabi watchfully defends this.
25.3 : K Paul to M Nabi, Wide. Bangs this short, Nabi ducks and wide signallad by the umpire.
K Paul to M Nabi, FOUR!Floated ball, Nabi leans forward and drives this through covers for a boundary. This brings up the fifty-run stand for these two. Solid watchful innings from them. Afghanistan will hope they carry on.
25.4 : K Paul to M Nabi, Wide. The batsman tries flicking a ball that is down the leg side. Wide signalled by the umpire.
K Paul to M Nabi, No run.
25.5 : K Paul to M Nabi, No run.
25.6 : K Paul to M Nabi, 1 run.
Ashley Nurse into the attack now.
26.1 : A Nurse to M Nabi, Not much turn on this one, on off, guarded out safely from within the crease.
26.2 : A Nurse to M Nabi, Some drift away from the batsman as Ashley Nurse lands it around off, Nabi leans across and meets it with a straight blade.
26.3 : A Nurse to M Nabi, Gets close to the pitch of the ball with a big stride and drives it to long on for a single.
26.4 : A Nurse to R Shah, Full and straight, played back to the bowler.
26.5 : A Nurse to R Shah, Goes down the ground, towards long on once more. Another single results.
26.6 : A Nurse to M Nabi, Worked away towards mid-wicket. No run taken.
27.1 : K Paul to R Shah, Nice and full, very close to the off stump, Shah with a drive straight back to the bowler.
27.2 : K Paul to R Shah, Short ball angling into the body, Shah swivels and helps the pull along the ground to deep backward square leg. One run to the scoreboard.
27.3 : K Paul to M Nabi, Pounded in short and wide outside off, Nabi arches back and lets it be.
27.4 : K Paul to M Nabi, Short of a good length, cramping Nabi for room. All the Afghan all-rounder can do is rise and tap it down on the track.
27.5 : K Paul to M Nabi, Shorter in length again, on middle and leg, defended down with soft hands yet again.
27.6 : K Paul to M Nabi, Similar ball, similar defensive shot. Ends the over without much fuss.
28.1 : A Nurse to R Shah, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
28.2 : A Nurse to R Shah, In the air....but safe. The Afghan have been riding on a lot of luck in their innings. Fires this in in line of the stumps, Shah after being settled plays a lose shot and the ball flies towards mid on and front of long on. Carlos runs backwards from the circle to get hold it but the ball falls well ahead of him. They cross.
28.3 : A Nurse to M Nabi, Nabi watchfully blocks this.
28.4 : A Nurse to M Nabi, Defended off the front foot by Nabi presenting the full face of the bat.
28.5 : A Nurse to M Nabi, Back of a length ball, Nabi punches this on the on side for one.
28.6 : A Nurse to R Shah, Driven towards the mid on region. 90 more needed for the men in blue.
Carlos Brathwaite comes back into the attack.
29.1 : C Brathwaite to M Nabi, FOUR! Another of those edges which run away to the fence. Outside off, plays at it at the last moment and gets a faint edge at it. The ball is far from a diving Hope to stop it for going from a boundary.
29.2 : C Brathwaite to M Nabi, Fuller in length, Nabi defends it with a straight bat.
29.3 : C Brathwaite to M Nabi, Played to the point region by Nabi.
29.4 : C Brathwaite to M Nabi, Drags his length back, Nabi pulls it front of square for one.
29.5 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, Length around off, Shah leans forward and defends it.
29.6 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, In line of the stump, Shah hits it back to the bowler.
30.1 : A Nurse to M Nabi, Tossed up, Nabi gets to the pitch of the ball and blocks it.
30.2 : A Nurse to M Nabi, The batsman plays the pull-shot. The batsmen have run through for a single.
30.3 : A Nurse to R Shah, Shah works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.
30.4 : A Nurse to M Nabi, Driven through mid on by Nabi. The batsmen have run through for a single.
30.5 : A Nurse to R Shah, Shah pushes this to covers.
30.6 : A Nurse to R Shah, Fuller in length, Shah hits it back to the bowler.
Rovman Powell to have a go with the ball.
31.1 : R Powell to M Nabi, Back of a length delivery angling back in on middle and leg, Nabi misses his flick and is caught high on the thigh pad.
31.2 : R Powell to M Nabi, Takes the pace off this one, keeps it on off, Nabi pushes it to long on. Single taken.
31.3 : R Powell to R Shah, Coming back in from around off, Shah moves a step across to get behind the line and blocks.
31.4 : R Powell to R Shah, Played back to the bowler off the inner half. Dot ball.
31.5 : R Powell to R Shah, Stays back and keeps it out from within the crease.
31.6 : R Powell to R Shah, Dropped! Only technically though, difficult to hold on to such chances. Fuller on the stumps, Shah drives it on the up back to the bowler. Powell gets low, sticks his right hand out but can't hold on to it.
32.1 : A Nurse to M Nabi, Flatter, shorter and around off, kept out off the back foot.
32.2 : A Nurse to M Nabi, Full and slower through the air, on the stumps, eased back down through mid on for an easy run.
32.3 : A Nurse to R Shah, The batsman defends it from within the crease.
32.4 : A Nurse to R Shah, Another dot ball. Shorter in length but cramping the batsman for room. He can't do much except defend.
32.5 : A Nurse to R Shah, Comes down the track to get close to the pitch and whips it over mid-wicket for two.
32.6 : A Nurse to R Shah, A nice, cozy drive through the covers and a single is taken. Afghanistan need 77 runs to win this game.
33.1 : R Powell to R Shah, Just back of a length outside off, a solid punch just wide of the bowler. No run taken though.
33.2 : R Powell to R Shah, Short and wide outside off, cut away square on the off side. One run taken.
33.3 : R Powell to M Nabi, On the fuller side of the length, Nabi presents the full face of the bat as he drives it to long on to get off strike.
33.4 : R Powell to R Shah, Coming in on the pads, worked away through backward square leg for one run.
33.5 : R Powell to M Nabi, Knocks this full delivery to long on for a single after leaning ahead.
33.6 : R Powell to R Shah, Fifty for Rahmat Shah! His 10th in this format. Beautifully constructed knock. Kept his calm and is still going on strong out there. Gets to the milestone by punching it through towards sweeper cover for a single.
34.1 : A Nurse to R Shah, Straighter one on middle and leg, nudged square on the leg side. Dot ball.
34.2 : A Nurse to R Shah, Rahmat Shah defends it from within the crease.
34.3 : A Nurse to R Shah, Loopy and full in length, outside the line of off stump, pushed hard to long off. Single to the total.
34.4 : A Nurse to M Nabi, Just behind the driving length, Nabi drags this sweep from around off, down towards short fine leg where Gayle makes a half-stop. Two runs taken.
34.5 : A Nurse to M Nabi, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
34.6 : A Nurse to M Nabi, Eased away down the ground, to long off for a single.
Jason Holder back on.
35.1 : J Holder to M Nabi, Length on the legs on Nabi who flicks it to the fielder at mid-wicket.
35.2 : J Holder to M Nabi, Short ball, Nabi pulls this to wide third man for one. 67 from 88 needed.
35.3 : J Holder to R Shah, Shah has flicked the ball off his pads.
35.4 : J Holder to R Shah, Another one on middle and leg, Shah flicks it to square leg for a quick run.
35.5 : J Holder to M Nabi, In line of the stumps, Nabi blocks it from his crease.
35.6 : J Holder to M Nabi, OUT! Jason Holder provides the breakthrough. And he is all pumped up. bangs this short, Nabi rocks back and pulls this towards deep square leg. Hetmyer the fielder there dives forward and takes a very good catch to get rid of the settled man. Not the most convincing of shorts from Nabi as it was not needed at this position. They are still 66 runs behind. With this wicket Jason Holder picks up his 100th international wicket and is the quickest to do so.
Najibullah Zadran is the next man in.
36.1 : A Nurse to R Shah, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single.
36.2 : A Nurse to N Zadran, Zadran plays this off his front foot into the ground.
36.3 : A Nurse to N Zadran, Defended off the front foot by Zadran presenting the full face of the bat.
36.4 : A Nurse to N Zadran, Zadran square cuts this to the fielder at point.
36.5 : A Nurse to N Zadran, Floats this on the legs of Zadran who misses his flick. The ball goes on to his his thigh pad.
36.6 : A Nurse to N Zadran, Straying on the pads again, Zadran whips it for one towards square leg.
37.1 : J Holder to N Zadran, Outside off, Zadran is beaten as he misses the ball.
37.2 : J Holder to N Zadran, Gets behind this and blocks it.
37.3 : J Holder to N Zadran, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single.
37.4 : J Holder to R Shah, Shah taps this towards mid-wicket.
37.5 : J Holder to R Shah, Outside off, Shah guides it to third man for one.
37.6 : J Holder to N Zadran, Played to the point fielder by Zadran.
38.1 : A Nurse to R Shah, FOUR! Much needed for the Afghans. Nurse tossed this around off and Shah sweeps this to fine leg for a boundary. 61 more needed.
38.2 : A Nurse to R Shah, Shah dances down the track and hits it back to the bowler.
38.3 : A Nurse to R Shah, The batsman has driven it through mid-off. The batsmen have run through for a single.
38.4 : A Nurse to N Zadran, On the pads of Zadran who gives it to the short fine leg fielder. Three dots now in a row.
38.5 : A Nurse to N Zadran, In line of the stumps, Zadran drives this to mid off.
38.6 : A Nurse to N Zadran, Ends the over by cutting it to the fielder at point. Good comeback from Nurse after being hit for a boundary in the first ball.
39.1 : N Miller to R Shah, The batsman has driven it through mid off. They pick up a single.
0.0 : Nikita Miller to roll his arm.
39.2 : N Miller to N Zadran, Comes down the track but doesn't connect it well. It goes towards mid-wicket and they cross.
39.3 : N Miller to R Shah, SIX! Effortlessly done by Shah. Slow ball around off, Shah gets to the pitch of the ball and lofts it over mid off for a maximum. Required runs below fifty now.
39.4 : N Miller to R Shah, Shah drives this back to the bowler.
39.5 : N Miller to R Shah, The batsman has driven it through mid on. The batsmen have run through for a single.
39.6 : N Miller to N Zadran, Zadran taps this to mid-wicket.
Powerplay three has been signalled. Five fielders can now be outside the circle.
40.1 : A Nurse to R Shah, Slower ball, Shah works it through mid on for one.
40.2 : A Nurse to N Zadran, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. They pick up a single.
40.3 : A Nurse to R Shah, OUT! This game has suddenly opened up. Outside off, Shah goes for the cut behind backward point but does so straight to Paul stationed there. He doesn't make any mistake and holds onto this. The man who was looking good has to depart. Afghanistan need 46 more to win.
Gulbadin Naib walks in next to bat.
40.4 : A Nurse to G Naib, Driven through the covers by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. Naib gets off the mark.
40.5 : A Nurse to N Zadran, Driven through mid off by the batsman.
40.6 : A Nurse to N Zadran, Another drives through mid off for one.
Carlos Brathwaite comes back into the attack.
41.1 : C Brathwaite to N Zadran, Outside off, Zadran cuts it to point.
41.2 : C Brathwaite to N Zadran, Zadran has worked it off his pads behind square. The batsmen have run through for a single.
41.3 : C Brathwaite to G Naib, Naib plays this to the fielder at mid-wicket.
41.4 : C Brathwaite to G Naib, Punched off the back foot by Naib.
41.5 : C Brathwaite to G Naib, Good bowling, not giving the batsman any room. This time Naib hits it to mid on.
41.6 : C Brathwaite to G Naib, Short ball, Naib pulls this to mid-wicket. Good over from Carlos, just one of it. 43 more needed from 48.
42.1 : A Nurse to N Zadran, More pressure. Swept to the square leg fielder.
42.2 : A Nurse to N Zadran, SIX! Gets this of the meat of the willow. Flighted ball in line of the stumps, Zadran charges down and smokes this over the bowler's head for a maximum.
42.3 : A Nurse to N Zadran, FOUR! Great improvisation from Zadran. Bowls this around off, Zadran reverse sweeps this through backward point for a boundary.
42.4 : A Nurse to N Zadran, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They manage to come back for the second.
42.5 : A Nurse to N Zadran, Zadran has driven it through mid on. One run added to the total.
42.6 : A Nurse to G Naib, Naib works this to mid-wicket. Good over for Afghanistan, 13 from it.
Keemo Paul comes back for another spell.
43.1 : K Paul to N Zadran, Zadran cuts this to point.
43.2 : K Paul to N Zadran, OUT! Short and wide, asking to be hit. Zadran upper cuts this straight to Nikita Miller in the deep at backward point. Another Afghan wicket falls. They are losing wickets at regular intervals and need someone to take them through. They are still 30 runs behind.
Rashid Khan is in next.
43.3 : K Paul to R Khan, It's been driven superbly through the covers. One run added to the total.
43.4 : K Paul to G Naib, Naib plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. They pick up a single.
43.5 : K Paul to R Khan, Outside off, Rashid fails to put bat on ball.
43.6 : K Paul to R Khan, Back of a length ball, Rashid punches this to the fielder on the off side. Just two runs and a wicket for the Windies. 28 more needed.
Jason Holder back on.
44.1 : J Holder to G Naib, Length ball outside off, Naib drives it towards covers. Bishoo (sub) positioned there misfields there and allows the batsmen to take three. Poor, can't be doing that when things are so tight.
0.0 : Jason Holder is down on the ground and is in need of some medical attention. Seems to have pulled his groin muscle a bit. Also, while Holder is getting some attention, Marlon Samuels has decided to get some for himself too. He's seen strapping his left knee.
44.2 : J Holder to R Khan, Brings the short one out of nowhere, takes Rashid Khan by surprise who can only duck under it.
44.3 : J Holder to R Khan, Well outside off, easy enough for Khan to run it down to third man for a single.
44.4 : J Holder to G Naib, Length ball aiming the top of off stump, Naib is right behind the line to defend.
44.5 : J Holder to G Naib, FOUR! Shot! Well placed and well executed. Short and angling down, Naib swivels and pulls it along the ground across the deep backward square leg fence for a boundary.
44.6 : J Holder to G Naib, Dot ball to end the over. This length delivery is played back to the bowler. 20 needed to win off 30.
Carlos Brathwaite returns.
45.1 : C Brathwaite to R Khan, Full on the legs of Rashid who hits it past mid on for one.
45.2 : C Brathwaite to G Naib, Another run towards mid on. 18 from 28 now.
45.3 : C Brathwaite to R Khan, Good running. Length ball, Khan plays it with soft hands in the gap through mid-wicket and comes back for a couple.
45.4 : C Brathwaite to R Khan, DROPPED! And what makes it worst is that the ball rolls to the fence. Short ball, Rashid cuts it towards third man. Rovman Powell moves to his left but just doesn't judge the ball. It hits his finger tips and goes to the boundary. Khan dropped on five and now Afghan need just 12.
45.5 : C Brathwaite to R Khan, Better looking shot from Khan. Opens the face of the bat and guides it to third man. This time Powell does well but the batsmen come back for the third run.
45.6 : C Brathwaite to G Naib, Slow ball, Naib hits it back to the bowler. Good over for the men chasing.
46.1 : J Holder to R Khan, Off cutter from Holder, Rashid defends it.
46.2 : J Holder to R Khan, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.
46.3 : J Holder to G Naib, OUT! A needless shot from Naib. Just 8 needed and with the field spread out he just needed to tap in the corners and rotate strike. Slower ball in line of the stumps. Naib goes for the big hit and holes out to the fielder at long on. Is there a twist in the tail from here?
Sharafuddin Ashraf is in next.
46.4 : J Holder to S Ashraf, Interesting, Ashraf chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
46.5 : J Holder to S Ashraf, Wide. An attempted bouncer which was well over head height. The umpire signals a wide.
J Holder to S Ashraf, Outside off, Ashraf lets it be.
46.6 : J Holder to S Ashraf, It's been driven superbly through the covers. They pick up a single. 6 more needed from 18 balls.
Keemo Paul back into the bowling attack.
47.1 : K Paul to S Ashraf, What a whopper of a delivery! Excellent from Paul. He spears in a yorker on leg, Ashraf can only dig this one out. Credit to him for doing so, wasn't an easy ball to face.
47.2 : K Paul to S Ashraf, Another attempted yorker which misses. Becomes a high full toss which Ashraf plays back down the track.
47.3 : K Paul to S Ashraf, Short and on middle and leg, pulled away behind square leg for two.
47.4 : K Paul to S Ashraf, FOUR! And there it is! They live to fight on! AFGHANISTAN WIN BY 3 WICKETS! And what a big victory this is for them. Ashraf gets his team over the finish line in style too as he crashes this through the gap in the covers for a boundary. Roars in celebration afterwards and is met by a hug from his skipper. Excellent scenes!
Afghanistan stay alive for another day. They can still dream of making it to the big stage. They left it late but managed to cross the finish line. After being faced with a below par target of 198, they lost two early wickets. Rahmat Shah then added a 66-run stand with Samiullah Shenwari and followed it up with a 49-run partnership with Nabi. Rahmat then, who scored a fifty, fell after a few overs and the Afghans started applying pressure on themselves. To the delight of their fans, their skippe
The Windies will have themselves to blame. Firstly, they didn't bat well and when they came out to defend their score, their fielders didn't support the team. They had a couple of chances but didn't make the most of it. Also, a few dropped chances didn't help either. Jason Holder was the pick for them as he scalped three wickets. They brought the game close but eventually fell short. So to sum it up, poor fielding has cost Windies the match. Stay tuned for the presentation.
Man of the Match, Mujeeb Ur Rahman says he would like to dedicate this win to the entire nation and adds that he tried hard, so is glad to do well with the ball. Mentions that during practice in the nets, he uses the new ball so it doesn't make much of a difference to him. States that he is grateful for the support of the seniors in the team and it's because of them that he's able to perform so well.
Rashid Khan says he's feeling really happy to come and finish it off. States they missed out in the first round but the boys have responded well and it's a big achievement. Adds they were nervous during the chase, but they tried their best throughout, took the game deep and got the job done. Feels there are lots of opportunities in the group for them to go into the finals, so they will give it their all in the remaining games.
Jason Holder (when asked about his injury) reckons that he is good and just had some cramps in the middle. Laments the fielding lapses that cost them the game. States that with wickets in hand, they backed themselves to go big towards the end with the bat but the move didn't come off today. He ends saying they'll look to do better in the upcoming games.
That's it from us. Afghanistan win their first game in the Super Six and get two important points. Tomorrow, hosts Zimbabwe take on Ireland at the Harare Sports Club. That game should attract more crowd. Join us for that game at 0930 local (0730 GMT). Till then, goodbye!