Afghanistan delivered a timely reminder of their growing T20 credentials with a composed 23-run victory over West Indies in a World Cup warm-up clash in Bengaluru, Wednesday, blending top-order fluency with disciplined bowling execution.
Asked to bat first, Afghanistan surged out of the blocks through their dynamic opening pair. Rahmanullah Gurbaz wasted no time asserting dominance, driving and pulling Akeal Hosein for two boundaries in the opening over before continuing his assault with a flurry of aggressive strokes. At the other end, Ibrahim Zadran matched the tempo, as the pair punished Jayden Seales for 16 runs in the fifth over.
By the end of the powerplay, Afghanistan were flying at 62 without loss, with both openers firmly in control.
Zadran steadies as middle overs slow
The opening stand stretched to 90 before Gudakesh Motie finally made the breakthrough in the ninth over, restoring some control for West Indies. Roston Chase then joined Motie in applying the brakes, squeezing the run rate after the halfway mark and accounting for Sediqullah Atal in the process.
Just as momentum threatened to stall, Darwish Rasooli reignited the innings with three crisp boundaries off Shamar Joseph in the 15th over. Azmatullah Omarzai followed with a burst of late acceleration, striking several powerful blows before retiring out on 35.
Anchored by Zadran’s measured half-century, Afghanistan closed their innings on a competitive 182, a total built on early dominance and late intent.
Early collapse derails West Indies chase
West Indies’ pursuit faltered almost immediately. The top order unraveled inside the powerplay, leaving the chase in disarray. Omarzai struck twice to remove Shai Hope and Brandon King, while Fazalhaq Farooqi dismissed Roston Chase. Mujeeb Ur Rahman then added further pressure by sending back Johnson Charles.
Reduced to four down early, West Indies were forced into recovery mode far sooner than planned.
Forde’s late fireworks fall short
Captain Rovman Powell attempted to stabilize the innings with a counterattacking 32, but support remained scarce. The most dramatic resistance came from an unexpected source.
Batting at No. 9, Matthew Forde launched a fearless assault, hammering 19 runs off Noor Ahmad and racing to a half-century from just 25 deliveries. His late surge briefly lifted West Indies’ hopes, but with the required rate climbing rapidly, the lower order could not sustain the charge.
Afghanistan’s bowlers held their nerve in the closing overs, ensuring the Caribbean side ran out of time and wickets.
Momentum secured ahead of the tournament
The 23-run victory provided Afghanistan with a confidence-boosting performance on the eve of the tournament, showcasing their balance across departments. For West Indies, the match served as a reminder of the fine margins that separate explosive potential from structural vulnerability in the shortest format.
