Dubai: A hat-trick from Mujeeb ur Rahman, half-centuries from Sethiqullah Atal and Darwish Rasooli led Afghanistan to a 39-run win in the second T20I of the three-match series against the West Indies.
The win marked Afghanistan’s second win in the series and gave them a 2-0 lead against the West Indies, while the third and final match is scheduled to be played at the same venue on Thursday.
Afghanistan, who batted first, scored 189 for 4 in 20 overs thanks to third-wicket centuries from Atal and Rasooli.
Afghanistan had a mixed start to their innings as they lost both openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (one) and Ibrahim Sadran (22) for just 37 runs in five overs.
Following the initial setback, Rasooli joined Atal in the middle and the duo made a stunning recovery by putting on a 117-run partnership in the ensuing overs.
Rasooli followed up with a top-scoring 68 off 39 balls with 5 fours and 3 sixes, while Atal scored 53 off 42 balls with 2 fours and 3 sixes.
Following their dismissal, all-rounder Asmatullah Umarzai scored an unbeaten 26, which came off just 13 balls and had three fours, including two sixes.
Among the West Indies bowlers, Matthew Forte conceded just 25 runs in his four overs with 2 wickets, while Ramon Simmonds and Shamar Joseph picked up a wicket each.
Chasing a tough target of 190, West Indies’ batting unit managed to muster 150 runs in 18.5 overs, despite a half-century from captain Brandon King.
The chase got off to a rocky start as West Indies were reduced to 38/3 courtesy of Mujeeb, who dismissed Evin Lewis (13) and Johnson Charles (nil) off the fifth and final ball of the eighth over.
He then came under attack from captain Rashid Khan, while his fellow King Shimron Hedmyer put together a 68-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
The crucial stand was broken in the 14th over when Hetmyer was dismissed by Fazalhaq Farooqui. The middle-order batsman scored 46 off 17 balls with the help of 6 sixes and a four.
Meanwhile, Mujeeb dismissed the West Indies mainstay King after bringing him back into the attack on the first delivery, thus completing his hat-trick.
King top-scored with 50 off 41 balls with 2 fours and 4 sixes, while West Indies lost 5 remaining wickets for 28 off 22 balls, his innings collapsing.
Hat-trick hero Mujeeb led Afghanistan’s bowling attack with an impressive 4/21 in his four overs and was adjudged man of the match.
He was supported by Omarzai and Farooqi with 2 wickets each and captain Rashid with one wicket.