India vs Afghanistan, 1st T20I: Shivam Dube's 60 & 1-9, Mohammad Nabi's 42 and Axar Patel's 2-23 are top performances. India beat Afghanistan and go 1-0 up.
Brief Scores - Afghanistan - 158/5 (M. Nabi 42, A. Omarzai 29, A. Patel 2/23) lost to India 159/4 (S. Dube 60, J. Sharma 31, M. Ur Rahman 2/21) by 6 wickets.
Player of the Match - Shivam Dube (1/9 & 60 off 40)
Coming from a remarkable win over South Africa in the second game of the Test series, India took on Afghanistan in the first game of the three-match T20I series in Mohali. Heroics from Shivam Dube and Axar Patel guided India to a comfortable victory as they establish a 1-0 lead in the series.
Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai's supportive innings in the middle phase assisted Afghanistan to finish with a fightable score. Besides them, Najibullah Zadran played a noticeable knock at the end. For India, Axar Patel and Mukesh Kumar had a good outing with the ball picking up two wickets each.
Afghanistan started with their dominance in the second innings as they picked two early wickets including a run-out of India skipper. For India, Shivam Dube played a remarkable unbeaten innings of 60 runs, registering his second T20I fifty. He received the Player of the Match award for his exceptional all-round contribution.
Talking Point: Shivam Dube adds his flavour to India’s solid batting line-up
A cracking knock from Shivam Dube adds flavour to India's solid batting line-up. His inclusion in the squad adds significant strength to India’s batting department with his power-hitting abilities. Dube could be a crucial player for India to watch out for heading into the upcoming T20I World Cup 2024. Besides his batting, he can notably contribute to the bowling department as well.
Mohammad Nabi’s brisk knock guided Afghanistan to a fightable total
India skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bowl first. Arshdeep Singh kicked off the proceedings with a perfect maiden. Despite the first maiden, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran gave Afghanistan a slow but decent start. Soon, the visitors lost three wickets before the 10-over mark despite a 50-run opening stand. Mohammad Nabi put on some fighting effort in the middle alongside Omarzai with a quick-fire stand. Ultimately, Najibullah gave Afghanistan the perfect late flourish as they ended with a fightable total. India bowlers displayed a decent show with the ball.
In the second innings, India started with a poor mix-up in the middle between Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill seeing the India skipper depart for a duck. Gill smashed some quick boundaries but got dismissed for a quickfire 23. India fell in trouble after two early wickets, though Tilak Verma and Shivam Dube tried to control the innings. Shortly, Verma got dismissed but Dube kept smashing and completed his half-century. Dube’s incredible unbeaten innings gave India a 1-0 lead in the series. The Afghanistan bowlers looked good at the start of Team India’s innings. However, they lost their control as the game progressed.
Top 3 performances from India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I, Mohali
Mohammad Nabi’s blitz
A stroke-filled and fiery knock of Mohammad Nabi lifted Afghanistan to a total of 158. The former captain smashed a blazing 42 off 27 balls. Nabi came in to steady the innings and put on an attacking 68-run stand with Azmatullah Omarzai to add some intent to Afghanistan’s innings.
Shivam Dube’s incredible all-round performance
Shivam Dube played a dazzling unbeaten knock of 60 runs leading India to a 6-wicket win. He stayed in the middle after scoring his second T20I fifty and went on to register his highest score in the format. He held the key in the tricky chase hitting two sixes and five fours. Dube also picked one wicket announcing his return with a bang in the shortest format.
Axar Patel’s shining spell
Axar Patel starred with the ball in the first T20I. The left-arm spinner provided the first breakthrough by dismissing the dangerous Rahmanullah Gurbaz before finishing with excellent figures. He picked up two wickets for 23 runs in his four-over spell. Patel was the best performer with the ball for the hosts.
Statistical Highlights from India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I, Mohali
The 50-run partnership between Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz is Afghanistan’s highest opening stand in T20Is against India.
Mohammad Nabi now has the most T20I runs against India for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan registered their highest T20I score (158) against India.
The fourth wicket stand between Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi was Afghanistan's joint-highest stand for any wicket in the T20I against India.
Shivam Dube registered his highest T20I score.
What’s next in the series?
India will play against Afghanistan in the 2nd match of the three-match T20I series at Holkar Stadium in Indore on 14 January 2024.
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