Abu Dhabi: India kept their campaign alive in the ICC World T20 by sealing a 66 run victory over Afghanistan in Super 12,Group 2 in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. The win saw India improve their net run rate moving to fourth spot in the table.
Rohit Sharma(74) and KL Rahul(69) starred for the “Men in the Blue” powering the side to 210/2 in 20 overs. The duo added staggering 140 runs for the opening wicket setting the tone up for the innings. They both targeted the main threat Rashid Khan which dented the Afghan spirit which was overwhelming considering Afghans spinners prowess. India got their first phase of the job done getting 59 in the powerplay before picking the gears up steadily clobbering every Afghan bowlers out of the park.
Rohit could have reached to a deserving three figures he smashed it straight to Mohammad Nabi’s hands. Rahul too followed his partner. However, Hardik Pandya(35*) and Rishabh Pant(27*) both of the whom were promoted up the order ensured that the pace didnt drop hammering 50 runs in last three overs to post a mammoth total.
In reply, Afghanistan just had the impossible task to do which they couldn’t. The side lost wickets in bunch early on in the innings which they couldn’t recover from ultimately falling short although skipper Mohhamad Nabi(35) and Karim Janat(42*) did add fireworks to innings making sure they show their spirit till the end. Ravichandran Ashwin(2/14) proved his worth coming into the side while Mohammed Shami(3/32) bowling charts for India.
Brief Scores: India 210/2 in 20 overs(Rohit Sharma 74, KL Rahul 69, Gulbadin Naib 1/39) beat Afghanistan 144/7 in 20 overs (Karim Janat 42*, Mohammad Nabi 36 ;Mohmmad Shami 3/32, Ravichandran Ashwin 2/14) by 66 runs.v
