Afghanistan’s Strong Start in the Series
DUBAI, UAE — Afghanistan’s national cricket team made a commanding statement in the opening match of their three-game Twenty20 International (T20I) series against the West Indies on Monday, registering a 38-run victory and seizing a 1-0 lead on the heels of impressive batting and disciplined bowling.
At the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Afghanistan’s batsmen laid the foundation for their strong start by posting a competitive total of 181 for three in their 20 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat first. The innings was anchored by standout performances from Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli, who compiled a sizeable partnership that turned the match in Afghanistan’s favour.
Zadran remained unbeaten on 87 off 56 balls, striking eight fours and three sixes, while Rasooli contributed 84 from 59 deliveries, featuring a combination of strokes that kept the scoreboard ticking throughout the innings. The duo’s 162-run partnership for the third wicket underpinned Afghanistan’s strong total and showcased their ability to build and maintain momentum after early setbacks.
Chasing 182, the West Indies struggled to find consistency against Afghanistan’s bowling attack. The visitors were restricted to 143 for nine in their allotted 20 overs, finishing well short of the target. Afghanistan’s bowlers shared the wickets, with notable contributions including three dismissals for Ziaur Rahman, while captain Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman each claimed two scalps, maintaining tight pressure through the latter stages of the innings.
West Indies saw modest scoring contributions from Gudakesh Motie and debutant Quentin Sampson, yet the team was unable to build sustained partnerships necessary to challenge Afghanistan’s imposing total.
The victory marked an emphatic start to the series for Afghanistan, whose balanced performance highlighted the depth of both batting and bowling resources. With the second T20I scheduled for Wednesday at the same venue, Afghanistan will aim to extend their advantage and continue building momentum ahead of future international assignments.
Also read : https://republicpost.in/refund-delays-processing-backlog-2/
Add republicpost.in as preferred source on google – click here
Last Updated on: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 11:21 am by Rishidhar Reddy | Published by: Rishidhar Reddy on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 11:21 am | News Categories: News
About Us: Republic Post covers the latest News on Current News, Business, Sports, Tech, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Automobiles, and more, led by Editor-in-Chief Ankur Srivastava. Stay connected on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Google News, and Whatsapp Channel.
Disclaimer: At Republic Post, we are committed to providing accurate, reliable, and thoroughly verified information, sourced from trusted media outlets. For more details, please visit our About, Disclaimer, Terms & Conditions, and Privacy Policy. If you have any questions, feedback, or concerns, feel free to contact us through email.
Contact Us: rishidharqitech@gmail.com
About The Author
