| 0.0 : Warm welcome ladies and gentlemen for another dose of a cricket match in this exciting World Cup. We now have a clear picture of our four semifinalists and the teams playing today have missed the bus. Pride is all they will be playing for and would try to close their dismal campaign on a high. No pressure on either West Indies or Afghanistan and they can express themselves freely. Also, this is Chris Gayle's last World Cup match and the Jamaican giant would love to make it memorable. Let's hope |
| Pitch report - The dimension of the ground is quite decent in Ian Bishop's words, neither too big nor too small. Sanjay Manjrekar looks at the surface and says it's white in colour. Suggests it is good for batting with lesser cracks. Feels the captain winning the toss would want to bat first. Adds that if the ball lands on the seam, there might be some lateral movement too. |
| Toss - Up goes the coin and it comes down in favour of Jason Holder. WEST INDIES WILL BAT! |
| West Indies skipper, Jason Holder says that they want to bat as it's a good wicket and he feels it will slow down as well. Wants to finish this contest well. Two changes in the team, Evin Lewis and Kemar Roach come in for Sunil Ambris and Shannon Gabriel. |
| Afghanistan captain, Gulbadin Naib says that he also wanted to bat first. Adds that it's dry and will help the spinners more later on. Says that they have played really good cricket in the last few games. Wants to try hard on the ground and the results can take care of itself. Two changes for them as well, Sayed Shirzad and Dawlat Zadran in for Hashmatullah Shahidi and Hamid Hassan. |
| Afghanistan (Player XI) - Rahmat Shah, Gulbadin Naib (C), Ikram Ali Khil (WK), Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Dawlat Zadran (IN FOR HASHMATULLAH SHAHIDI), Sayed Shirzad (IN FOR HAMID HASSAN). |
| West Indies (Playing XI) - Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis (IN FOR SUNIL AMBRIS), Shai Hope (WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, Jason Holder (C), Carlos Brathwaite, Fabian Allen, Kemar Roach (IN FOR SHANNON GABRIEL), Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas. |
| Bright and sunny conditions. A decent crowd has also come to watch this match. The players from both sides are also on the field to sing their respective national anthems. |
| Out come the Afghanistan players on the field. They get into a huddle before spreading around. Now, Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis stride out to open the inning for West Indies. As expected, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who has removed Gayle twice in ODIs in as many attempts, has the first new ball in his hand. Can he strike again? Here we go... |
| 0.1 : Ur Rahman to C Gayle, Starts with a flighted full ball around off, Gayle is on the front foot as he pushes it to covers. |
| 0.2 : Ur Rahman to C Gayle, Flatter this time, full and on off, Gayle leans and defends it on the leg side. |
| 0.3 : Ur Rahman to C Gayle, Poor delivery but Gayle fails to put it away. Full and down the leg side, Chris sweeps but finds short fine leg. |
| 0.4 : Ur Rahman to C Gayle, Tossed up ball outside off, going straight on, Gayle allows it through. |
| 0.5 : Ur Rahman to C Gayle, Beaten! A slider landing full outside off, Gayle tries to defend off his front foot but it whizzes past his blade. |
| 0.6 : Ur Rahman to C Gayle, Fullish and around off, Gayle works it in front of square leg for a run. West Indies are away! A quiet first over from Mujeeb. |
| Dawlat Zadran to bowl from the other end with the second new ball. |
| 1.1 : D Zadran to C Gayle, On the pads, Gayle works it towards mid-wicket and takes an easy single. |
| 1.2 : D Zadran to E Lewis, On a good length and outside off, Lewis shoulders arms to this one. |
| 1.3 : D Zadran to E Lewis, Well bowled! This is slightly shorter and it lands outside off, it comes back in. Lewis leaves it but due to the movement back in, it hits him high on the pads. |
| 1.4 : D Zadran to E Lewis, Good shot but no runs! Fuller and outside off, Lewis strokes it hard but straight to cover-point. |
| 1.5 : D Zadran to E Lewis, Another dot! This is on the stumps once again, Lewis pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 1.6 : D Zadran to E Lewis, FOUR! A boundary to end the over! Spoils the over somewhat. On the pads, easy pickings with fine leg up. Lewis works it fine on the leg side and bags the first boundary of the game. |
| 2.1 : Ur Rahman to C Gayle, Flatter and straighter one around off, a bit on the shorter side which allows Gayle to rock back and punch it down to long on. They pick up a single. |
| 2.2 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Quicker again, flatter and on off, Lewis strokes it back from the crease. A good stop from the bowler. |
| 2.3 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Hangs on the back foot to slap it through covers but gets an inside edge onto his pads. Could have easily dragged it on. |
| 2.4 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, FOUR! Better this time! Mujeeb goes short and wide outside off, Lewis camps back and whacks it through the gap at covers for a boundary. |
| 2.5 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Skidding down the leg side, Evin tries his best to get it away with his flick shot but misses. |
| 2.6 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Flighted and full on off, Lewis prods forward and defends it safely on the off side. |
| 3.1 : D Zadran to C Gayle, Mistimed shot! On a good length around off, angling away from the batsman, Gayle remains back and tries to hit it across the line. But it takes the inside edge and strikes him on the pads. |
| 3.2 : D Zadran to C Gayle, Straighter delivery, on a length, Gayle tries working it on the leg side but misses. He is hit quite high on the pads this time. |
| 3.3 : D Zadran to C Gayle, Bowls it wide outside off, offering the batsman to have a go at it, Gayle is watchful at the moment and shoulders arms. |
| 3.4 : D Zadran to C Gayle, FOUR! Bludgeoned! Back of a length delivery outside off, Gayle keeps his weight on the back foot and smashes it past his partner at the other end for a boundary down to long off, first from his bat. |
| 3.5 : D Zadran to C Gayle, Goes hard at a shortish ball on off but gets a big inside edge onto the pads. |
| 3.6 : D Zadran to C Gayle, This time a length ball is in the channel outside off, going away with the angle of the bowler, Gayle keeps his bat close to his body and allows it through. Just a boundary from the over. |
| 4.1 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Flatter and on middle, Lewis goes back and works it to mid-wicket. |
| 4.2 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, FOUR! In the gap, shorter boundary on that side and it races away! Short and outside off, Lewis goes back and slaps it through cover-point and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 4.3 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Corrects his line and bowls it closer on the off pole, Lewis defends it out. |
| 4.4 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, A little too short and it turns back in. Lewis pushes it down to long on for one. |
| 4.5 : Ur Rahman to C Gayle, On the pads again, Gayle looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 4.6 : Ur Rahman to C Gayle, A good nut to end! It lands on off and then straightens. Gayle lunges forward and tries to defend but it goes off the outer half to point. This is what he should be bowling on consistent basis. |
| 5.1 : D Zadran to E Lewis, Good length and outside off, Lewis plays outside the line, it goes off the inner half through square leg for one. |
| 5.2 : D Zadran to C Gayle, Well bowled! Just behind a length and on off, it moves away. Gayle goes back and tries to defend but the ball goes past the outside edge. |
| 5.3 : D Zadran to C Gayle, OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Dawlat Zadran gets the big man in his last World Cup inning. He fails to make an impact. Gayle makes room and goes down on one knee. Dawlat bowls it full and wide outside off, it was there to be hit but as Gayle made a lot of room. He had to reach out for it. It goes off the outside edge and straight into the mitts of the keeper. Early wicket for Afghanistan, just the start they would have wanted. |
| Shai Hope is the new man in! He showed brilliant form leading to the mega event but somehow failed to carry it forward. Only a couple of 50-plus scores for him. He would like to finish on a high with an impactful knock! |
| 5.4 : D Zadran to S Hope, FOUR! Poor ball to the new batter! This is down the leg side, a freebie for Hope to get off the mark. He flicks it to the fine leg fence. |
| 5.5 : D Zadran to S Hope, Shorter and outside off, Hope defends it back to the bowler. |
| 5.6 : D Zadran to S Hope, Fuller and outside off, the right line to bowl with two slips. Hope leaves it. A successful over for Afghanistan. |
| 6.1 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Floats it up on middle, Lewis pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 6.2 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Down the leg side, Lewis looks to hit it fine but misses. Wided. |
| Ur Rahman to E Lewis, A quick run! This is on the pads, Lewis looks to flick but misses. It goes off the thigh pad towards short fine leg. The batters take one. The fielder has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses. The backup fielder fumbles but no extra runs taken. Leg bye signaled. |
| 6.3 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Flatter and on off, Hope pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 6.4 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, On the off pole, Hope keeps it out. |
| 6.5 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, On the stumps again, Hope pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 6.6 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, A single to end! This is on the stumps, it is pushed down to long on for one. |
| 7.1 : D Zadran to S Hope, DROPPED! Straight in and straight out! Rashid Khan is the culprit and he looks puzzled at the moment and so are his teammates because you don't expect him to drop those. This is fuller and on the pads, Hope flicks it but does not keep it down. It goes straight to Rashid Khan who spills it. This could be the kind of luck Hope needs, he has been short of runs in this World Cup and today, can well be his day. Also, Afghanistan had just brought the mid-wicket in, so the plan |
| 7.2 : D Zadran to S Hope, Back of a length on off, Hope stands tall and keeps it out. |
| 7.3 : D Zadran to S Hope, Two off the inner half! Shorter and outside off, Hope looks to push it through the off side but it goes off the inner half through square leg for two. |
| 7.4 : D Zadran to S Hope, Good length and outside off, Hope lets it be. |
| 7.5 : D Zadran to S Hope, This is full and on the pads, this is worked towards fine leg for one. |
| 7.6 : D Zadran to E Lewis, FOUR! Uppish but wide! Shorter and on the pads, Lewis helps it on its way to the fine leg fence and bags a boundary. So what could have been a successful over for Afghanistan, ends up being a decent one for the Windies. |
| Sayed Shirzad is on now! |
| 8.1 : S Shirzad to S Hope, Starts with a fuller ball around off, Hope strokes it towards mid off and takes off. The fielder fumbles and makes the run easy. |
| 8.2 : S Shirzad to E Lewis, SIX! Into the crowd! First biggie of the game! This is a delivery which Lewis would hit all day. Short and on the pads, Lewis pulls it high and handsome over the backward square leg fence. The new bowler is under pressure. |
| 8.3 : S Shirzad to E Lewis, Comes back well! Lands it on off and it is on a length. Lewis pushes it to mid off. |
| 8.4 : S Shirzad to E Lewis, On the fuller side and on off, Lewis pushes it towards mid off and takes off. We'll see more of quick runs now after Gayle's wicket. |
| 8.5 : S Shirzad to S Hope, This is outside off, Hope lets it go to the keeper. |
| 8.6 : S Shirzad to S Hope, Almost an action reply of the last ball! Outside off and Hope lets it go again. So a good comeback by the bowler after going for a biggie early on in the over. |
| 9.1 : D Zadran to E Lewis, Back of a length on off, this is pushed to covers. |
| 9.2 : D Zadran to E Lewis, An appeal but not given! This is down the leg side, Lewis looks to flick but misses. The ball hits the pads and goes low towards the keeper. He dives to his right and takes it. |
| 9.3 : D Zadran to E Lewis, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 9.4 : D Zadran to E Lewis, Another back of a length delivery on off, Lewis stands tall and guides it to point. |
| 9.5 : D Zadran to E Lewis, Slower one and it is on the shorter side, comes off slower from the surface. Lewis looks to pull but misses and is hit on the tummy. He was way too early into the shot. 5 dots in the over so far. |
| 9.6 : D Zadran to E Lewis, A dot to end! Good length and on off, this is pushed to covers. A maiden over to end Powerplay 1! Windies are 43 for 1. A sedate start by them. |
| Powerplay 2 about to begin. Now, Afghanistan are allowed a maximum of 4 fielders outside the ring till the 40th over. |
| 10.1 : S Shirzad to S Hope, Shorter and on off, Hope pushes it through covers for one. |
| 10.2 : S Shirzad to E Lewis, Back of a length and on off, this is kept out. |
| 10.3 : S Shirzad to E Lewis, On the shorter side outside off, Lewis hits it through covers for one. |
| 10.4 : S Shirzad to S Hope, BEATEN! A slower one outside off, Hope is foxed by the lack of pace. He looks to push at it but is early in his attemt, gets beaten. |
| 10.5 : S Shirzad to S Hope, On the shorter side and on middle, Hope works it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 10.6 : S Shirzad to E Lewis, On a good length and on off, Lewis pushes it to mid off for one. A good second over by Shirzad. |
| Gulbadin Naib is on now! |
| 11.1 : G Naib to E Lewis, Starts off with a short delivery around off, Lewis goes back and slaps it to covers. |
| 11.2 : G Naib to E Lewis, On the off pole this time, Lewis pushes it to covers. |
| 11.3 : G Naib to E Lewis, Another misfield! Rashid Khan it is! Not having a good day in the field till now. This is pushed through covers and the batters take the first one quickly. Rashid attacks the ball to stop the second but he takes his eyes off at the very end and lets it through. The second run becomes easy. |
| 11.4 : G Naib to E Lewis, Shorter and on the body, Lewis pulls it but straight to short fine leg. |
| 11.5 : G Naib to E Lewis, Good stop! Fuller and on off, Lewis hits it towards mid off and takes one. The fielder moves to his left and stops it with a slide. Also, the 50 is up for West Indies. |
| 11.6 : G Naib to S Hope, BEATEN! A loose shot though. This is on a length and outside off, Hope reaches out for it but misses. |
| Mohammad Nabi is on now! |
| 12.1 : M Nabi to E Lewis, Gives it a lot of air and lands it on off, Lewis pushes it to covers. |
| 12.2 : M Nabi to E Lewis, Almost a yorker on middle, Lewis jams it out through covers for two. |
| 12.3 : M Nabi to S Hope, Another single as this is worked with the turn to long on. |
| 12.4 : M Nabi to E Lewis, Fuller again and on off, this is hit down to long off for one. |
| 12.5 : M Nabi to S Hope, On the stumps, Hope defends it. |
| 12.6 : M Nabi to S Hope, Another tossed up ball on middle, Nabi pushes it back to the bowler. A tidy start by Nabi. |
| 13.1 : G Naib to E Lewis, On off, Lewis pushes it to mid off. |
| 13.2 : G Naib to E Lewis, A couple now! Shorter and on off, Lewis hits it through covers for two. |
| 13.3 : G Naib to E Lewis, Fuller and on middle, Lewis pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 13.4 : G Naib to E Lewis, FOUR! Finds the gap this time! Fuller and on off, Lewis hits it through extra cover, past the mid off fielder and into the fence. |
| 13.5 : G Naib to E Lewis, SIX! Nailed! A short one and it won't be troubling Lewis at Naib's pace. Lewis goes back and hammers it over the mid-wicket fence. 10 from the last two balls. |
| 13.6 : G Naib to E Lewis, A dot to end a good over for West Indies. Back of a length on off, this is guided to point. |
| 14.1 : M Nabi to S Hope, SIX! Shai Hope gets into the act now! He comes down the track, gets to the pitch of it and lofts it over the bowler's head for a biggie. The 50-run stand is up in style. It has steadied the ship after they lost Gayle early. |
| 14.2 : M Nabi to S Hope, Now follows the biggie with a single down to long on. |
| 14.3 : M Nabi to E Lewis, On the stumps, Lewis lunges and defends it out. |
| 14.4 : M Nabi to E Lewis, OHH! This is flatter and just outside off, it drifts back in. Lewis looks to punch it on the off side but it goes off the inner half back to the bowler. |
| 14.5 : M Nabi to E Lewis, Slower through the air and on off, Lewis looks to defend but it goes off the outer half towards point for one. |
| 14.6 : M Nabi to S Hope, This is on middle, Hope works it to mid-wicket. 8 from the over despite the biggie. |
| 15.1 : G Naib to E Lewis, A little too straight, this is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 15.2 : G Naib to E Lewis, On middle, this is hit down to long on for one. |
| 15.3 : G Naib to S Hope, Shorter and on middle, Hope pushes it to long on for one. |
| 15.4 : G Naib to E Lewis, This is angled into the batter, Lewis works it through square leg for a run. |
| 15.5 : G Naib to S Hope, Fuller and on off, Hope pushes it back towards the bowler who gets his fingertips on the ball and deflects it to mid off. |
| 15.6 : G Naib to S Hope, Slower one on off, Hope guides it to point. |
| 16.1 : M Nabi to E Lewis, Flatter and on middle, Lewis pushes it to covers. |
| 16.2 : M Nabi to E Lewis, Slower through the air on off, EL pushes it towards cover and takes a quick run. |
| 16.3 : M Nabi to S Hope, Shorter and on off, this is hit down to long on for one. |
| 16.4 : M Nabi to E Lewis, On the stumps, Lewis looks to defend but it goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket. |
| 16.5 : M Nabi to E Lewis, Floats it up on off, Lewis hits it to covers. |
| 16.6 : M Nabi to E Lewis, Flatter and quicker on middle, Lewis works it to mid-wicket. A good over by Nabi. |
| Drinks break. Steady going for West Indies after losing Chris Gayle early. Shai Hope was given a reprieve on 5 and he along with Evin Lewis are amidst a 57-run stand. Lewis has played some extraordinary shots in his knock of 48 so far and is looking in fine form. The Afghans have their trump card yet to bowl and let's see how Rashid Khan fares in the middle phase. Here he comes... |
| 17.1 : R Khan to S Hope, Starts with one on the leg stump, Hope works it with soft hands through square leg and takes two. |
| 17.2 : R Khan to S Hope, Very full and on middle, this is hit back to the bowler. |
| 17.3 : R Khan to S Hope, Beaten! Flatter and outside off, this pitches and straightens. Hope goes back and tries to defend but misses. |
| 17.4 : R Khan to S Hope, Flatter again and on off, this is pushed to covers. |
| 17.5 : R Khan to S Hope, Another dot as Hope pushes this back to the bowler. |
| 17.6 : R Khan to S Hope, A single to end! On the pads, this is worked through square leg for one. A good start by Rashid. |
| 18.1 : M Nabi to S Hope, On the pads, this is worked through mid-wicket for one. |
| 18.2 : M Nabi to E Lewis, Slower through the air outside off, Lewis lets it be. |
| 18.3 : M Nabi to E Lewis, Brings the sweep shot out but finds the man at short fine leg. |
| 18.4 : M Nabi to E Lewis, On the pads, Lewis works it to mid-wicket. |
| 18.5 : M Nabi to E Lewis, One more dot as Nabi fires it on the stumps and Lewis blocks it out. |
| 18.6 : M Nabi to E Lewis, 5 dots in a row to end! On off, Lewis pushes it to covers. Back-to-back good overs for Afghanistan. |
| 19.1 : R Khan to S Hope, This is on the pads, Hope works it through square leg for one. |
| 19.2 : R Khan to E Lewis, This is on the pads, Lewis nudges it around the corner and takes one. He moves onto 49. |
| 19.3 : R Khan to S Hope, On the stumps, Hope lunges and keeps it out. |
| 19.4 : R Khan to S Hope, On the stumps, this is pushed down to long on for one. |
| 19.5 : R Khan to E Lewis, Fifty for Lewis! 5th ODI fifty for him. A good comeback in the side but one would believe this innings has come a little too late. He gets there by driving this through covers for one. |
| 19.6 : R Khan to S Hope, The googly on the pads, Hope looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 20.1 : M Nabi to E Lewis, Flatter on off, Lewis goes back and hits it hard but to covers. |
| 20.2 : M Nabi to E Lewis, Nice and slow outside off, Lewis guides it to point. |
| 20.3 : M Nabi to E Lewis, Sharp turn there! Once again gives it a nice loop and lands it outside off, Lewis looks to play at it but seeing the turn away, bails out. |
| 20.4 : M Nabi to E Lewis, Shorter and outside off, Lewis hits it through covers for one. |
| 20.5 : M Nabi to S Hope, Fires it full and wide outside off, Hope drives it square on the off side but again, just for a run. |
| 20.6 : M Nabi to E Lewis, Another good over for Afghanistan which ends with a dot! It is the arm ball on middle, Lewis looks to defend but it goes off the inner half to mid-wicket. |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman is back on! |
| 21.1 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Flatter and on off, this is pushed to covers. |
| 21.2 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Leading edge but a run! Around off, Hope looks to work it on the leg side but gets a soft leading edge towards backward point for one. |
| 21.3 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, A quick run! This is on the pads, Lewis works it towards short fine leg and takes one. That was a poor throw by the fielder there. |
| 21.4 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Fires it on the stumps, Hope defends it. |
| 21.5 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Well bowled! The carrom ball around off, it pitches and straightens. Hope looks to drive but is beaten. There was a chance for stumping but Ikram fumbled and collected the ball in the second attempt. Shai returned by then. |
| 21.6 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Just the three singles from the over! Flatter and outside off, Hope hits it through cover-point for one. |
| Change of ends for Rashid Khan. |
| 22.1 : R Khan to S Hope, Flatter and on middle, Hope goes back and pushes it down to long on for one. |
| 22.2 : R Khan to E Lewis, FOUR! A welcome boundary for West Indies! It was nicely played in the end! It is very full on the pads, Lewis initially looks to sweep but then stands and just guides it through backward point for a boundary. |
| 22.3 : R Khan to E Lewis, Flatter and outside off, Lewis guides it to point. |
| 22.4 : R Khan to E Lewis, Shorter in length and on middle, Lewis pushes it to long off and gets to the other end. |
| 22.5 : R Khan to S Hope, The googly on off, Hope looks to defend but it goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket. |
| 22.6 : R Khan to S Hope, Another googly on off and Hope once again blocks it out. |
| 23.1 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Very full and on middle, this is hit down to long off for one. |
| 23.2 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Plays the sweep but can't get it past short fine leg. A single. |
| 23.3 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Angles this into the off pole, Lewis pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 23.4 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Down the leg side, EL looks to flick but misses. It has been wided. 100 up for the Windies. |
| Ur Rahman to E Lewis, Flatter and on the leg pole, it turns back in. Lewis looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 23.5 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| Review time! A huge shout for LBW has been turned down. Afghanistan review. Looks close. |
| 23.6 : Ur Rahman to E Lewis, NOT OUT! The impact is just outside off which means it remains umpire's call. A good review though by Afghanistan and they do not lose it. It is another carrom ball by Mujeeb. It lands outside off and turns back in. Lewis goes for the slog sweep but misses to get hit on the pads. A huge appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Afghanistan take the review after a chat. Replays roll in and they show the on-field call need not be overturned. |
| 24.1 : R Khan to S Hope, EDGY FOUR! Windies won't mind though. Shorter and outside off, Hope looks to punch it off the back foot but it goes off the outside edge and through short third man for a boundary. |
| 24.2 : R Khan to S Hope, FOUR! This is right off the middle! A poor ball, it is short and on middle, Hope goes back and pulls it over mid-wicket. Consecutive boundaries for Hope. He moves into the 40s. |
| 24.3 : R Khan to S Hope, Another short one on middle, Hope pulls it through mid-wicket for one. |
| 24.4 : R Khan to E Lewis, Flatter and on off, Lewis guides it to point. |
| 24.5 : R Khan to E Lewis, OUT! In the air... and that is a very, very good catch by Nabi. Rashid looks up to the heavens in delight, just shows how much that wicket means to him. A much-needed wicket for Afghanistan as they have broken the 88-run stand. Not the best of deliveries to get out to though. It is short and on middle, Lewis looks to pull but ends miscuing it towards wide long on. Nabi there runs across and then forward and takes it nicely. Lewis fails to make the most of the start he go |
| Shimron Hetmyer walks in next at number 4. |
| 24.6 : R Khan to S Hope, A googly to end the over, this lands on off and spins back in. Hope looks to defend but it goes off the inner half to mid-wicket. 9 runs but a wicket from the over. |
| Mohammad Nabi returns into the attack. |
| 25.1 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, Flighted and full on off, Hetmyer defends it off his front foot. |
| 25.2 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, Shortish and on off, Hetmyer moves back and punches it through extra cover for one. |
| 25.3 : M Nabi to S Hope, Turning down the leg side, Hope helps it towards square leg and scampers across to the other end. |
| 25.4 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, Fires one in full and around off, skidding in, Shimron looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 25.5 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, SIX! Hetmyer has dismissed this one! Flighted delivery but it's too full and wide outside off, Shimron latches onto it and smashes it over long off for a biggie. If it's there to be hit, he will always go for it, doesn't matter if he has just come out to bat or not. |
| 25.6 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, Played to the point region by the batsman. No run to end an 8-run over. |
| 26.1 : R Khan to S Hope, Flatter and on off, Hope pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 26.2 : R Khan to S Hope, Tosses it up on off, it is defended. |
| 26.3 : R Khan to S Hope, Fuller and on off, Hope pushes it back to the bowler. 3 dots in the over. |
| 26.4 : R Khan to S Hope, FOUR! Releases all the pressure that was building! This is shorter and outside off, Hope goes back and cuts it past backward point for a boundary. |
| 26.5 : R Khan to S Hope, On the stumps, Hope goes back and keeps it out. |
| 26.6 : R Khan to S Hope, Almost! The googly and it is outside off, turns back in. Hope goes back to a ball he should have been forward to. Tries to keep it out but it goes off the inner half on the leg side. |
| 27.1 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, FOUR! Hetmyer has come out all guns blazing here! If it is in his arc, he will go for it. This is tossed up on middle, it is fuller. Hetmyer smashes it over mid on and one bounce over the long on fence. |
| 27.2 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, A low full toss on middle, Hetmyer hits it past the bowler to long off for one. |
| 27.3 : M Nabi to S Hope, On the stumps, this is hit down to long on for one. |
| 27.4 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, FOUR! Dealing in boundaries, Hetmyer. Through covers this time. Another flighted ball on off, Hetmyer stays leg side of the delivery and lofts it through covers. No stopping those. |
| 27.5 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, Sensible batting! Having got a boundary on the last ball, he opens the face of the bat and guides this one to point for one. |
| 27.6 : M Nabi to S Hope, Hope now pushes it through covers for one. An expensive over, 12 from it. |
| Sayed Shirzad is back into the attack! |
| 28.1 : S Shirzad to S Hope, Shorter and outside off, this is slapped through covers for one. |
| 28.2 : S Shirzad to S Hetmyer, On the pads, Hetmyer works it towards mid-wicket. |
| 28.3 : S Shirzad to S Hetmyer, Slower one and on off, Hetmyer defends it out. |
| 28.4 : S Shirzad to S Hetmyer, Another slower one on off, SH guides it to point. |
| 28.5 : S Shirzad to S Hetmyer, FOUR! Too easy! Short and on the body with fine leg up, Hetmyer helps it past that fielder and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 28.6 : S Shirzad to S Hetmyer, On the pads, this is worked through mid-wicket for one. Hetmyer keeps strike. |
| 29.1 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, Dances down the track and Nabi fires it on the pads, Hetmyer works it through square leg for one. |
| 29.2 : M Nabi to S Hope, Fifty for Hope, his 13th in ODIs! Good to see him back amongst the runs. He would look to bat through and love to get a big one here. He gets there by easing this one down to long on and getting to the other end. |
| 29.3 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, SIX! That is right off the middle and it sails into the stands. Hetmyer is taking Nabi to the cleaners here. Mohammad tosses it up on middle, Hetmyer brings the slog sweep out and clears the mid-wicket fence. |
| 29.4 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, Flatter and on off, this is kept out. |
| 29.5 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, On the stumps again, Hetmyer blocks it out again. |
| Appeal for a stumping has been referred upstairs! Has Hetmyer dragged his back foot outside the crease while trying to play the slog sweep? The replays show that it's inside the line comfortably. |
| 29.6 : M Nabi to S Hetmyer, NOT OUT! Hetmyer is well in! This is floated up outside off, Hetmyer once again looks to slog sweep it over mid-wicket. This time he misses. The keeper whips the bails off and appeals. The umpire takes it upstairs and replays show that Hetmyer is fine. Another expensive over by Nabi. 8 from it. |
| 30.1 : S Shirzad to S Hope, On the pads, this is worked through square leg for one. |
| 30.2 : S Shirzad to S Hetmyer, Slower and shorter in length and outside off, this is guided down to third man for one. |
| 30.3 : S Shirzad to S Hope, Shorter and on the body, this is pulled through square leg for one. 150 up for West Indies. 300 is surely on the cards here. |
| 30.4 : S Shirzad to S Hetmyer, Around off again and this is guided to point. |
| 30.5 : S Shirzad to S Hetmyer, Shorter again and on middle, Hetmyer pulls it through mid-wicket for one. |
| 30.6 : S Shirzad to S Hope, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. They pick up a single. |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman is back! |
| 31.1 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Shorter and around off, this is guided to point. |
| 31.2 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Flatter and outside off, it is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 31.3 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, On the stumps again and once again Hope flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 31.4 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Another dot! Hope looks to innovate. He plays the reverse sweep but finds short third man. |
| 31.5 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, 5 dots in a row! Once again Hope misreads the length. Goes back to a ball which he should be going ahead too. It lands outside off and straightens. Beats the outside edge. |
| 31.6 : Ur Rahman to S Hope, Just the single from the over as Hope slaps it through covers. A much-needed tight over, they need a few more like these. |
| 32.1 : S Shirzad to S Hope, Sliding down the leg side, Hope tries working on the leg side but misses. It goes off his pads to the on side and they cross. |
| 32.2 : S Shirzad to S Hetmyer, Length ball angling down the leg side, Hetmyer eases it off his pads through square leg for a couple of runs. |
| 32.3 : S Shirzad to S Hetmyer, Fires it very full and on middle, Shimron knocks it down to long on and rotates the strike. |
| 32.4 : S Shirzad to S Hope, Pitches it up and around off, Hope hits it down the ground off the inner half of his blade towards long on for a run. |
| 32.5 : S Shirzad to S Hetmyer, Well played! Hetmyer sticks back to fetch a short ball from outside off and pulls it down to deep mid-wicket. Rashid makes a tumbling stop and they take a couple. 50-run stand up! |
| 32.6 : S Shirzad to S Hetmyer, Stays back to a good length ball and punches it towards covers. |
| Rashid Khan is back on! His team needs a wicket here. Can he provide it? |
| 33.1 : R Khan to S Hope, Flatter and on middle, this is hit down to long on for one. |
| 33.2 : R Khan to S Hetmyer, Quicker and on off, Hetmyer guides it to point. |
| 33.3 : R Khan to S Hetmyer, A huge shout but the umpire is not interested! The leg spinner and on middle, Hetmyer goes back and looks to work it on the leg side. It hits the higher part of the pad, hits the keeper's glove and rolls towards fine leg for one. Leg bye signaled! |
| 33.4 : R Khan to S Hope, Run out chance! Flatter and on middle, Hope works it to the right of the bowler. Hetmyer wants a run but is sent back. The keeper gets to the ball and has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses. |
| 33.5 : R Khan to S Hope, The batsman plays a sweep shot. They pick up a single. |
| 33.6 : R Khan to S Hetmyer, In the air... but it falls in between the two fielders! Hetmyer brings out the slog sweep but since the length is a touch shorter, there is extra bounce. He gets a top edge which lobs over the mid-wicket fielder. He runs back and there is one fielder running in from the deep. The mid-wicket fielder goes for it with a dive but fails to get to the ball. Two taken by the batsmen. |
| Dawlat Zadran is brought back into the match. 5-1-21-1, so far. |
| 34.1 : D Zadran to S Hope, Back of a length on off, Hope drops it on the off side and takes one. |
| 34.2 : D Zadran to S Hetmyer, Shorter and it is slower, Hetmyer mistimes his pull through mid-wicket for one. |
| 34.3 : D Zadran to S Hope, SIX! Stand and deliver! This is fuller and on off, Hope extends his arms and lofts it with ease over the long off fence for a biggie. |
| 34.4 : D Zadran to S Hope, Shorter and around off, Hope slaps it through cover-point and takes one. |
| 34.5 : D Zadran to S Hetmyer, OUT! Another excellent catch! Hetmyer looks to the heavens but in disappointment. He has thrown away yet another start. Just a needless stroke. They already had 9 from the over but Hetmyer got greedy and he took another risk to make this a huge one. He takes a few steps down the track and Zadran bangs it short. Hetmyer pulls but does not keep it down. It goes to the right of Noor Ali Zadran (sub) who takes a good catch diving to his right. Afghanistan were desperate |
| Drinks break. Afghanistan have successfully broken the dangerous looking stand. Once again Shimron Hetmyer showed a lot of promise in his free-flowing knock but failed to convert it into something big. West Indies though have the platform set for the middle-lower order batsmen to capitalize on. Shai Hope should look to bat through from here on. For Afghanistan, it's all about restricting the Caribbean team to as less as possible. |
| Nicholas Pooran is in next. He is fresh from a sublime knock against Sri Lanka and would like to leave his impact yet again. |
| 34.6 : D Zadran to N Pooran, FOUR! Pooran continues from where he left off in the last game. Some shot to get off the mark. This is short and on the body, Pooran goes back and hammers the pull through mid-wicket for a boundary. A huge over, 13 from it but a wicket as well. |
| 35.1 : R Khan to S Hope, Flatter and on off, Hope keeps it out. |
| 35.2 : R Khan to S Hope, On off, Hope mistimes it towards mid-wicket. |
| 35.3 : R Khan to S Hope, Floats it up on off, Hope pushes it towards cover for one. |
| 35.4 : R Khan to N Pooran, A full toss on middle, Pooran misses out there as he strokes it to covers. |
| 35.5 : R Khan to N Pooran, Outside off and Pooran lets it be. |
| 35.6 : R Khan to N Pooran, Quicker again and on off, Pooran guides it towards point for one. |
| 36.1 : D Zadran to N Pooran, Length and on off, it is angling away. Pooran looks to drive but misses. |
| 36.2 : D Zadran to N Pooran, On the pads, this is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 36.3 : D Zadran to N Pooran, Another good length ball on off, Pooran pushes it through covers for one. |
| 36.4 : D Zadran to S Hope, A lovely shot for two! This is on middle, Hope walks in and flicks it through wide mid on for two. |
| 36.5 : D Zadran to S Hope, Another appeal but once again it is turned down! A slower one around middle and leg. Hope looks to flick but misses. A huge shout but the umpire shakes his head. That seems to be going down leg. |
| 36.6 : D Zadran to S Hope, A full toss but this is driven through covers for only one. |
| Mohammad Nabi is back on! |
| 37.1 : M Nabi to S Hope, FOUR! That has gone through and a boundary to start Nabi's new spell. Short and outside off, Hope goes back and slaps it towards mid off. Afghan there runs to his left and dives but does not stop it. |
| 37.2 : M Nabi to S Hope, FOUR! Consecutive boundaries! This time to the right of Afghan. Floats it up on off, Hope hits it through the line, over mid off for another boundary. |
| 37.3 : M Nabi to S Hope, On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 37.4 : M Nabi to S Hope, OUT! CAUGHT! Nabi has the last laugh! Hope holes out! No ton for him today also. The change of angle does the trick for Nabi. After going for two boundaries, he comes from around the wicket. He fires this full and on middle, Hope looks to play the slog sweep, the risk is minimum as it is with the turn but he does not time it right. It goes straight to Rashid at deep mid-wicket who does not make a mistake. Once again the shot can be questioned as two boundaries had already |
| Jason Holder walks out to bat. |
| 37.5 : M Nabi to J Holder, BEATEN! This is flatter and outside off, it is angled away. Holder looks to defend but is beaten. |
| 37.6 : M Nabi to J Holder, On middle, Holder pushes it to mid on. So a top comeback by the bowler. He went for 8 off the first two balls but then bowled 3 dots and took a wicket. |
| Sayed Shirzad is brought back into the attack. 5-0-29-0, so far. His job will be to keep things tidy. |
| 38.1 : S Shirzad to N Pooran, Back of a length delivery around off, Pooran lifts his front leg and pulls it through square leg for a run. |
| 38.2 : S Shirzad to J Holder, A touch short in length and angling away from the batsman, Holder stays back to run it down to third man but finds point instead. |
| 38.3 : S Shirzad to J Holder, Goes fuller this time, outside off, Holder drives but finds the extra cover fielder. Two dots. |
| 38.4 : S Shirzad to J Holder, A stifled appeal for an lbw! Shirzad delivers it on a length around middle and off, straightening a bit, Holder sticks back to defend but misses. The bowler puts in a muted appeal before realizing that it's too high. |
| 38.5 : S Shirzad to J Holder, Angling across the West Indian skipper, this time Holder guides it wide of point to third man and picks up his first run. |
| 38.6 : S Shirzad to N Pooran, DROPPED BY RAHMAT! Could be a costly miss, this. Shortish and on off, Pooran pulls it across the line, keeps it aerial and Shah at mid-wicket jumps to attempt for the catch over his head. But it goes through his hands and the batsmen take a couple. Afghanistan have been clumsy in the field today. |
| 39.1 : M Nabi to J Holder, Flatter and on off, this is hit towards long on for one. |
| 39.2 : M Nabi to N Pooran, A couple! Shorter and around off, Pooran goes back and cuts it past point for a brace. |
| 39.3 : M Nabi to N Pooran, On the stumps, Pooran works it to mid-wicket. |
| 39.4 : M Nabi to N Pooran, This is fuller and on middle, Pooran hits it down to long on for one. 200 up for West Indies. |
| 39.5 : M Nabi to J Holder, Well bowled again! Angles it away from off, Holder looks to defend but is beaten by the angle as it skids off the surface. |
| 39.6 : M Nabi to J Holder, Another dot to end! This is on middle, Holder looks to defend but it goes off the inner half towards the leg side. End of Nabi for today. His figures are 10-0-56-1. Not the best of days for him. |
| Powerplay 3 has been signaled! Now a maximum of 5 fielders can be placed outside the ring till the end of the innings. |
| 40.1 : S Shirzad to N Pooran, PUT DOWN AGAIN! That is a brilliant effort though. Would have been a blinder. Naib, the skipper, shows great commitment. Pooran uses his feet and makes this into a half volley. He smashes it towards mid off. GN there dives to his right, stretches his hands out but the ball does not stick. He saves three in the end. Shirzad once again is unlucky. Pooran was dropped off his bowling before also. |
| 40.2 : S Shirzad to J Holder, Another slower one, Holder works it down to long on for one. |
| 40.3 : S Shirzad to N Pooran, FOUR! Easily done! Short and on the body, it is the slower one. Pooran waits for it and pulls it through backward square leg for a boundary. |
| 40.4 : S Shirzad to N Pooran, Good stop! This is on the pads, Pooran looks to flick but misses. It brushes the pads and rolls to the right of the keeper who dives and stops it. The bowler is a little too straight here. If he continues to bowl so, they should push the fine leg back. |
| 40.5 : S Shirzad to N Pooran, On the shorter side, Pooran pulls it through mid-wicket for one. |
| 40.6 : S Shirzad to J Holder, A couple to end a good over for the Windies. Holder works it with soft hands through mid-wicket. They take the first one quickly and then go for the second. Complete it. |
| Rashid Khan is back into the attack! |
| 41.1 : R Khan to N Pooran, Outside off and it is quicker. Pooran looks to cut but is beaten by the pace. |
| 41.2 : R Khan to N Pooran, Another dot! Flatter and outside off again, Pooran once again looks to cut but misses. |
| 41.3 : R Khan to N Pooran, The slip was just moved and this went through there. Just for a run. Actually, it is a dropped catch. A tough one though. Those need to stick. It is a googly on off, Pooran looks to force it on the off side but it goes off the outside edge, hits the outer part of the keeper's gloves and travels to short third man. A single taken. Pooran is riding on his luck. |
| 41.4 : R Khan to J Holder, Fuller and on off, Holder jams it through the off side for one. |
| 41.5 : R Khan to N Pooran, On the pads, this is worked through square leg for another single. |
| 41.6 : R Khan to J Holder, On the stumps, Holder looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. Just the three from the over. Excellent at this stage. |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman is back! 5 overs of genuine spin left in the last 8. Afghanistan, in all likelihood, would use them all. |
| 42.1 : Ur Rahman to N Pooran, FOUR! Lovely shot! Ideal start to the over. Pooran gives himself room and Mujeeb bowls it fuller on off. Pooran smashes it over extra cover and bags a boundary. |
| 42.2 : Ur Rahman to N Pooran, Looks to play the reverse sweep now but mistimes it towards point for a quick run. |
| 42.3 : Ur Rahman to J Holder, Flatter and on middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one. |
| 42.4 : Ur Rahman to N Pooran, Full and wide outside off, Pooran throws his bat at it but misses. |
| 42.5 : Ur Rahman to N Pooran, Flatter and on off, this is hit down to long off for one. |
| 42.6 : Ur Rahman to J Holder, A dot to end! So just 7 from the over despite going for a boundary on the first ball. On the stumps, Holder looks to flick but again gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 43.1 : R Khan to N Pooran, Swing and a miss! A googly outside off, Pooran looks to go downtown but does not connect. |
| 43.2 : R Khan to N Pooran, A couple now! Shorter and around off, Pooran pushes it through covers and takes two. |
| 43.3 : R Khan to N Pooran, On the pads, this is worked through wide mid on. They run the first one hard but have to settle for the single. |
| 43.4 : R Khan to J Holder, Another dot! The leg spinner on off, Holder looks to work it on the leg side but it goes off the leading edge to short third man. |
| 43.5 : R Khan to J Holder, SIX! ALL THE WAY! A little too full by Rashid this time and he pays the price. Holder lofts it and clears the long off fence with ease. |
| 43.6 : R Khan to J Holder, A couple to end! This is flatter and on middle, Holder looks to flick but it goes off the inside edge down to fine leg for two. |
| 44.1 : Ur Rahman to N Pooran, It's been lofted over mid on by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 44.2 : Ur Rahman to J Holder, SIX! That is colossal! What a shot! This is angled into the batter. Holder shuffles in and tonks it over the mid-wicket fence for a huge one. |
| 44.3 : Ur Rahman to J Holder, A low full toss, Holder flicks it on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for one. |
| 44.4 : Ur Rahman to N Pooran, FOUR! Pressure telling on Mujeeb! He fires this down the leg side, Pooran sweeps it through short fine leg and the ball races away to the fence. The 50-run stand is also up between the two. It has come up in quick time. It has provided the much-needed impetus the side needed. |
| 44.5 : Ur Rahman to N Pooran, Shorter and outside off, Pooran tries to cut but misses. |
| 44.6 : Ur Rahman to N Pooran, FOUR! End of a huge over! 16 from it. Short and wide outside off, Pooran cuts it through cover-point for a boundary. |
| 45.1 : R Khan to J Holder, Wide! Turning down the leg side, Holder tries flicking but misses. |
| R Khan to J Holder, Too full in length on off, driven through extra cover for a run. Does the right thing by handing the strike to Nicholas. |
| 45.2 : R Khan to N Pooran, Beaten! Spinning away from the batsman from around off, Pooran moves back to play on the leg side but is beaten by the away turn. |
| 45.3 : R Khan to N Pooran, Drags his length short and delivers it on middle, Nicholas goes deep inside the crease and punches it to long on for one. |
| 45.4 : R Khan to J Holder, Wide again! Wrong 'un goes wrong. Down the leg side, Jason tries to work it away but misses. 250 up for West Indies! |
| R Khan to J Holder, Goes back and punches it in the gap on the leg side for a run. |
| 45.5 : R Khan to N Pooran, Short and on middle, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 45.6 : R Khan to J Holder, Loopy and on off, driven back to the bowler. Rashid finishes his spell, 10-0-52-1! Just 6 wickets in 9 matches in this World Cup, a dismal tournament for the Afghan leggie. |
| Dawlat Zadran is back on! |
| 46.1 : D Zadran to N Pooran, Fuller and outside off, Pooran creams it through covers for one. |
| 46.2 : D Zadran to J Holder, Good change in pace! Slower and shorter on middle, Holder pulls it through square leg for one. He mistimed it actually. |
| 46.3 : D Zadran to N Pooran, FOUR! Pierces the gap brilliantly! 6 from the first three balls. He moves onto 45. Another slower ball which is shorter in length. Pooran goes back and pulls it over mid-wicket. It is between long on and deep mid-wicket. |
| 46.4 : D Zadran to N Pooran, Bowls it very full this time and on off, Pooran hits it down to long off for one. |
| 46.5 : D Zadran to J Holder, SIX! That is going, going and gone! That was hit really high but it was handsome too. A slower one on on off, Holder picks it early, waits for it and drags it way over the mid-wicket fence. |
| 46.6 : D Zadran to J Holder, Pooran runs the second without the bat in his hand! Excellent stuff! A full toss on middle, Holder hits it back at the stumps at the other end. The ball deflects onto the leg side. They take one and then Holder wants the second. Pooran drops his bat at the other end but still goes for it and makes it in. 15 from the over. Another big one. |
| 47.1 : Ur Rahman to N Pooran, Flatter and outside off, Pooran slaps it through covers and gets to the other end. |
| 47.2 : Ur Rahman to J Holder, On off, Holder works it through mid-wicket for one. Two singles to begin the 48th. |
| 47.3 : Ur Rahman to N Pooran, A dot now! Pooran makes room and Mujeeb bowls it just inside the tramline outside off. NP goes after it but misses. |
| 47.4 : Ur Rahman to N Pooran, Just over the fielder! Three runs! Shorter and outside off, Pooran looks to cut but it goes off the outer half over point. Three taken. Follows his ton with his second half ton in ODIs. He is a serious talent and he has shown that in this World Cup. |
| 47.5 : Ur Rahman to J Holder, FOUR! Deft! Extremely good shot. Mujeeb fires this full and on off, it is almost a yorker. Holder at the very end opens the face of the bat and jams it down to the third man fence. |
| 47.6 : Ur Rahman to J Holder, A leg bye to end another good over for Windies. This is bowled on the pads, Holder looks to flick but misses. It hits the pads and rolls on the leg side. A leg bye taken. |
| 48.1 : D Zadran to J Holder, SIX! The long extension of his arms and he has dispatched it into the crowd. Full toss and angling in on middle, that's a poor delivery at any stage, forget this one, Holder clears his front leg and goes big over wide long on. |
| 48.2 : D Zadran to J Holder, Lands it on a length and outside off, Holder leaves it thinking it to be a wide. It ain't. |
| Point drops back. |
| 48.3 : D Zadran to J Holder, Width on offer outside off, Holder reaches out for it with an angled bat and forces it to deep point for one. |
| 48.4 : D Zadran to N Pooran, SIX! Looked like a mishit but it has still gone over long on. Slower delivery, on a back of a length outside off, Pooran rocks back and swings his bat firmly. Doesn't connect from the middle but it still flies for a biggie. |
| 48.5 : D Zadran to N Pooran, FIVE WIDES! Also, the 100-run stand is up and a partnership which has probably taken the game away from Afghanistan. This is very short and on middle, Pooran watches it go through. It bounces in front of the keeper who fails to collect it. Bonus runs these. |
| D Zadran to N Pooran, Looks to be innovative there by playing the paddle scoop. The ball is also down the leg side but Pooran does not connect. |
| 48.6 : D Zadran to N Pooran, A couple to end! 20 from the over and now 310 is possible. Full and on middle, Pooran jams it through mid-wicket and takes two. |
| Sayed Shirzad to bowl the final over. |
| 49.1 : S Shirzad to J Holder, OUT! A big mix-up and Pooran is run out! A dot to begin the last over. This is a slower one outside off, Holder swings but misses. Pooran charges to the other end but Holder is not interested. The keeper throws it back to the bowler who collects it and calmly takes the bails off at his end. End of another excellent knock by NP. |
| Carlos Brathwaite walks out to bat. |
| 49.2 : S Shirzad to J Holder, OUT! Two wickets off the first two balls! Holder is the man walking back now. Shirzad gets his first. It is another slower one on middle, Holder is a little early in the shot. He ends up dragging it up in the air towards square leg where Zadran takes a good catch running in from the deep. A top inning by the skipper as well. He has surely done his job. |
| Fabian Allen arrives with 4 balls remaining. |
| 49.3 : S Shirzad to C Brathwaite, Three dots now! This is on off, Brathwaite guides it to point. |
| 49.4 : S Shirzad to C Brathwaite, SIX! Over long off! Brute force that! Another slower one around off, Brathwaite picks it this time, waits for it and brings up 300 in style. |
| 49.5 : S Shirzad to C Brathwaite, EDGY FOUR! West Indies won't mind how they come as long as they come. Length and on middle, Brathwaite swings again but this goes off the outside edge and down to the third man fence. |
| 49.6 : S Shirzad to C Brathwaite, FOUR! What happened there? That should have been another wicket for Shirzad but instead, it is a boundary. He bowls a slower one on middle, Brathwaite is once again early into the shot. It hits the bottom part and goes up in the air towards long off. It has really gone high up in the air. Naib seems to settle under it but then tries to protect himself as he loses the ball in the sun. It sails over his head and goes over the ropes on one bounce. Another fortunate |
| 14 runs in the last three balls, 111 in the last 10 overs and West Indies have ended up with a big total on the board! A strong batting show by them after losing Chris Gayle cheaply. Evin Lewis, Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer played delightful knocks but the real impetus to the innings was provided by the fifth wicket stand. At one stage it looked like Afghanistan will restrict West Indies inside 300 but the pair of Holder and Pooran went bonkers in their partnership and added 105 in very quick |
| Afghanistan were very poor in the field. Plenty of catches went down. They dropped Nicholas Pooran thrice and he really made them pay by putting in a quickfire partnership with Jason Holder. The three Afghan spinners were brilliant today but they failed to pick too many wickets in the middle overs. The rest of the bowling was not consistent and towards the end, it fell completely flat. |
| Shai Hope, the top run-scorer of the West Indian innings, says he is pleased they crossed the 300-run mark. Mentions he is happy to get some runs under his belt. Adds that the team score is more important but he feels good to be amongst the runs. Reckons the wicket is a little slow and their plan was to keep wickets in hand so that they can have a launching pad. Jokingly says he won't be telling what lengths their bowlers will be bowling. |
| Right then, one final chance for Afghanistan to get a consolation win in this World Cup. But they have a tall task in front of them. Can their batting step up and scale down this big target? Do join us in a short while to find out. |
| 0.0 : We are back for the chase! The West Indies players are in a huddle as the Afghanistan openers, Gulbadin Naib and Rahmat Shah, pass by them. The Windies players now make their way out to the middle. Naib will be on strike and he will be facing Sheldon Cottrell who has the first new ball in hand. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : S Cottrell to G Naib, Starts off with a back of a length ball on off, Naib pushes it to mid off. |
| 0.2 : S Cottrell to G Naib, A half shout! Back of a length on middle, Naib looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads. |
| 0.3 : S Cottrell to G Naib, The run chase is underway! Back of a length and around off, Naib look to push at it but gets an inside edge which goes towards short fine leg for one. |
| 0.4 : S Cottrell to R Shah, Goes very full now and it is on off, Shah strokes it to covers. |
| 0.5 : S Cottrell to R Shah, BEATEN! On the fuller side again and outside off, Shah does go after it but misses. |
| 0.6 : S Cottrell to R Shah, Another full ball around off, Shah drives it square on the off side but can't get past point. Just the one run from the first over. |
| Kemar Roach to bowl from the other end with the second new ball. |
| 1.1 : K Roach to G Naib, Back of a length on off, Naib stands tall and guides it to point. |
| 1.2 : K Roach to G Naib, FOUR! Too short and Naib puts it away! It is on the body, bounces at a good height for the batter. Naib pulls it over square leg for a boundary. First of the run chase. |
| 1.3 : K Roach to G Naib, OUT! CAUGHT! Roach has the last laugh and Naib falls. One shot too many by him. It is on the fuller and around off, Naib looks to heave it over the leg side but it goes off the inner half straight to mid-wicket. Lewis makes no mistake. Bad start for Afghanistan and the perfect one for West Indies. |
| Ikram Ali Khil is the number 3 batsman. |
| 1.4 : K Roach to Ali Khil, Good fielding! On the shorter side and on the body, Ikram pulls it towards fine leg. Cottrell runs to his right, dives and stops it. Saves two for his side. |
| 1.5 : K Roach to Ali Khil, On the shorter side again and outside off, Ali Khil looks to cut but misses. |
| 1.6 : K Roach to Ali Khil, On the pads, this is worked towards square leg for a single. A successful first by Roach. |
| 2.1 : S Cottrell to Ali Khil, Fuller and on middle, this is hit to mid on. |
| 2.2 : S Cottrell to Ali Khil, Another one on the pads, Ikram looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. It rolls towards the keeper who dives to his right and stops it. |
| 2.3 : S Cottrell to Ali Khil, Back of a length on off, this is guided down to third man for one. |
| 2.4 : S Cottrell to R Shah, Back of a length on off, Shah hops and keeps it out. |
| 2.5 : S Cottrell to R Shah, Shorter in length and around off, it is dragged towards mid on for one. |
| 2.6 : S Cottrell to Ali Khil, Lovely delivery! This is fuller and around off, it shapes away. Ikram looks to defend but it goes off the outer half down to third man for one. |
| 3.1 : K Roach to Ali Khil, Good length ball on off, angling away, Ali Khil defends it off his back foot. |
| 3.2 : K Roach to Ali Khil, Full and outside off, Ikram drives but finds the fielder on the off side. |
| 3.3 : K Roach to Ali Khil, Digs in a shortish ball on middle, Ikram pulls across the line but finds the fielder in front of square leg. |
| 3.4 : K Roach to Ali Khil, Leans forward to a length ball outside off and pushes it with gentle hands to covers. |
| 3.5 : K Roach to Ali Khil, Shortish and around leg, Ikram stays back footed and defends it on the leg side. Five dots. |
| 3.6 : K Roach to Ali Khil, Maiden! Back of a length ball on off, Ali Khil once again remains inside the crease and punches it to mid off. Tidy over by Roach. |
| 4.1 : S Cottrell to R Shah, BEATEN! Shah seems to be worried about the ball coming in. This is fuller and just outside off, Shah looks to drive but plays inside the line and the ball whizzes past the outside edge. |
| 4.2 : S Cottrell to R Shah, Another one on a length and around off, Shah defends it. |
| 4.3 : S Cottrell to R Shah, Well fielded! Shorter and around off, Shah guides it towards point where Allen dives to his left and stops it. Could not stop the single though. |
| 4.4 : S Cottrell to Ali Khil, FOUR! Nicely played! Cottrell fails to adjust to the left-hander. He drifts it on the pads. Ikram works it fine on the leg side and bags a boundary. |
| 4.5 : S Cottrell to Ali Khil, Goes for the short one around off, Ikram looks to pull but is beaten by pace. A little fun out there, Gayle is appealing, he also tries to convince his skipper to take the review but Holder is not interested. |
| 4.6 : S Cottrell to Ali Khil, Beaten again! Fuller and wider outside off, Ikram throws his bat at it and misses. |
| 5.1 : K Roach to R Shah, On the fuller side on off, this is driven back to the bowler. |
| 5.2 : K Roach to R Shah, Good length and on off, Shah defends it out. |
| 5.3 : K Roach to R Shah, Good shot and good fielding! Shorter and on off, Shah gets on top of the bounce and guides it towards point where the fielder dives to his right and stops it. |
| 5.4 : K Roach to R Shah, Another fuller length ball on middle, Shah strokes it towards mid on and takes one. |
| 5.5 : K Roach to Ali Khil, Another one on a length, Ali Khil guides it to point. |
| 5.6 : K Roach to Ali Khil, Uppish but safe! Fuller and on off, Ali Khil strokes it uppishly but through covers for two. |
| 6.1 : S Cottrell to R Shah, WIDE! Short and down the leg side, Shah looks to pull but misses. |
| S Cottrell to R Shah, FOUR! Classy! Slightly shorter and outside off this time. Shah waits for it and then guides it past point for a boundary. Welcome boundary. |
| 6.2 : S Cottrell to R Shah, Goes fuller this time and on off, Shah strokes it to mid off. |
| 6.3 : S Cottrell to R Shah, A sharp short ball, it bounces over the batter's head though and it has been wided. |
| S Cottrell to R Shah, On middle, this is worked to square leg. |
| 6.4 : S Cottrell to R Shah, A little too straight again, Shah easily works it to mid-wicket. |
| 6.5 : S Cottrell to R Shah, A slower one outside off, Shah pushes it to mid on. |
| 6.6 : S Cottrell to R Shah, FOUR! Ends the over with a boundary! 10 from the over, a good one for Afghanistan. Once again Sheldon opts for a straighter line. This time Shah works it through mid-wicket and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 7.1 : K Roach to Ali Khil, Back of a length on off, this is pushed to covers. |
| 7.2 : K Roach to Ali Khil, Another length ball around off, Ikram plays it late down to third man for one. |
| 7.3 : K Roach to R Shah, Good length and this is angled into the off pole, Shah blocks it out. |
| 7.4 : K Roach to R Shah, FOUR! Easy-peasy! A half volley on the pads and Shah flicks it through square leg for a boundary. Runs coming thick and fast for Afghanistan now. |
| 7.5 : K Roach to R Shah, Back of a length and on off, Shah defends it out. |
| 7.6 : K Roach to R Shah, On the middle pole, this is hit back to the bowler. |
| Oshane Thomas is on now! |
| 8.1 : O Thomas to Ali Khil, Well played! Back of a length ball around off, Ikram guides it past point and takes two. |
| 8.2 : O Thomas to Ali Khil, Fuller and on off, this is hit to covers. |
| 8.3 : O Thomas to Ali Khil, Shorter in length and just outside off, Ali Khil throws his bat at it but misses. |
| 8.4 : O Thomas to Ali Khil, Fuller in length again on off, Ikram hits it to covers. |
| 8.5 : O Thomas to Ali Khil, Goes short this time! Ikram looks to pull but mistimes it towards backward square leg for one. |
| 8.6 : O Thomas to R Shah, On the body, this is worked towards mid on. |
| 9.1 : K Roach to Ali Khil, FOUR! One bounce and over the fence! What a shot that is, Ikram says, take that Roach. Fuller in length and around off, Ali Khil lofts it over mid on and bags a boundary. |
| 9.2 : K Roach to Ali Khil, Misfield! Fuller and outside off, Ali Khil hits it towards point where the fielder dives over the ball and the batters take two. |
| 9.3 : K Roach to Ali Khil, On the pads, this is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 9.4 : K Roach to Ali Khil, Back of a length on off, Ikram pushes it to covers. |
| 9.5 : K Roach to Ali Khil, A single now as Ikram guides it down to third man. |
| 9.6 : K Roach to R Shah, Back of a length on off, this is pushed to mid off. 7 from the last over of Powerplay 1! Afghanistan have recovered well after losing an early wicket. They are 44 for 1, needing another 268 in 240 balls. |
| Powerplay 2 begins! Now, West Indies can have a maximum of 4 fielders outside the circle till the 40th over. At the moment, the maroon team has three. |
| 10.1 : O Thomas to Ali Khil, Back of a length on middle, Ikram defends it out. |
| 10.2 : O Thomas to Ali Khil, On the fuller side on middle, Ikram works it to mid on. |
| 10.3 : O Thomas to Ali Khil, Full and on the pads, this is flicked through square leg for one. |
| 10.4 : O Thomas to R Shah, Back of a length and on off, Shah keeps it out. |
| 10.5 : O Thomas to R Shah, FOUR! How easily has he played that? Yes, it is a poor ball but still. Short and wide outside off, Shah waits for it, uses the pace of the bowler and guides it through cover-point. |
| 10.6 : O Thomas to R Shah, On the fuller side on off, Shah jams it out to the bowler. |
| 11.1 : K Roach to Ali Khil, Back of a length on middle, Ikram defends it out. |
| 11.2 : K Roach to Ali Khil, On the shorter side, Ali Khil pulls it down to fine leg for one. 50 up for Afghanistan. |
| 11.3 : K Roach to R Shah, Shorter and outside off, Shah pushes it through covers for one. |
| 11.4 : K Roach to Ali Khil, Another single as Ali Khil plays it with an angled bat down to third man. |
| 11.5 : K Roach to R Shah, Shortish and outside off, Shah flashes at it and edges it down to third man for a run. |
| 11.6 : K Roach to Ali Khil, Shorter in length again and on middle, this is worked around the corner for one. |
| 12.1 : O Thomas to Ali Khil, Shorter and outside off, this is guided to point. |
| 12.2 : O Thomas to Ali Khil, A single and that brings up the 50-run stand between the two. A good one as they lost Naib early. The two need to continue though. this is on the body, Ali Khil works it through square leg for one. |
| 12.3 : O Thomas to R Shah, FOUR! Up and over! Picked the length early there! This was fractionally short around off, Rahmat Shah stands tall and pulls it over the mid-wicket fielder and bags another boundary. |
| 12.4 : O Thomas to R Shah, Fuller and on off, Shah strokes it through covers for one. |
| 12.5 : O Thomas to Ali Khil, Shorter in length and on the body, it is pulled down to fine leg for one. |
| 12.6 : O Thomas to R Shah, FOUR! Caressed! Delightful! What a shot! On the fuller side, Shah just leans into it and creams it past cover. No stopping those. 11 comes from the over. Afghanistan going along well here. |
| Jason Holder is on now! |
| 13.1 : J Holder to Ali Khil, Starts his spell with a back of a length ball on off, angling away, Ikram sticks back and runs it down to third man for a run. |
| 13.2 : J Holder to R Shah, Beaten! Extra bounce for the tall fast bowler. Shortish delivery around off, holding its line, Shah tries to run it down but is beaten as it bounces over his bat. |
| 13.3 : J Holder to R Shah, Good length ball around off, angling in, Shah remains on the back foot and blocks it to covers. |
| 13.4 : J Holder to R Shah, Back of a length ball on middle, Shah turns it off his hips to long leg for a run. |
| 13.5 : J Holder to Ali Khil, Play and a miss! Short in length and wide outside off, Ikram stays back to pull on the leg side but fails to connect. |
| 13.6 : J Holder to Ali Khil, Nearly edges it to the keeper! Slants across a short of a length ball outside off, Ali Khil attempts to dab it to third man but misses. 2 runs from Jason's first over. |
| 14.1 : O Thomas to R Shah, Back of a length ball outside off, Shah taps it down from the crease to point. |
| 14.2 : O Thomas to R Shah, Lands it on a length and outside off, Rahmat drives it from the crease to the right of Gayle at extra cover. The big man goes down low to stop the ball and the crowd loves it. |
| 14.3 : O Thomas to R Shah, Hurries up the batsman with his extra pace. Shah fails to work it around and it goes off his pads at square leg. They cross for a leg bye. |
| 14.4 : O Thomas to Ali Khil, Direct hit at the striker's end but Rahmat is safely in. Shortish ball on middle and leg, Ikram stays leg side of it and drops it with gentle hands in front of cover-point. Good calling between the two batsmen as they steal a run. |
| 14.5 : O Thomas to R Shah, Around middle and off, blocked from the back foot by Rahmat. |
| 14.6 : O Thomas to R Shah, Good running once more. A length ball outside off, Rahmat presses forward and drives it gently to the right of mid off. They scamper across for a single as the fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end. |
| 15.1 : J Holder to R Shah, Back of a length on off, Shah punches it to mid on. |
| 15.2 : J Holder to R Shah, Back of a length again on off, Shah keeps it out. |
| 15.3 : J Holder to R Shah, Another back of a length ball on off, Shah pushes it to mid off. |
| 15.4 : J Holder to R Shah, This is angled into the batter, Shah hits it to mid on. |
| 15.5 : J Holder to R Shah, On the shorter side again, Shah plays it to mid off. |
| 15.6 : J Holder to R Shah, FOUR! All the pressure that was building has been released! Exquisite timing again! This is shorter and outside off, Shah stands tall and guides it past point. Third man runs to his right and looks to stop it with his leg but fails in the attempt. |
| Time for some spin! Fabian Allen to roll his arm now. He is the only genuine spinner in the XI for West Indies. In the last match against Sri Lanka, he did well to bowl an economical spell and then impressed one and all with his batting prowess. Can he provide the breakthrough here? |
| 16.1 : F Allen to Ali Khil, Shorter and on the pads, this is worked through mid-wicket for one. |
| 16.2 : F Allen to R Shah, Shorter and quicker around off, Rahmat looks to pull but mistimes it towards long on for one. |
| 16.3 : F Allen to Ali Khil, Just over! Shortish again and on middle, Ikram looks to power it over mid off but he does not get it right off the middle. Still hits it well enough to clear the in-ring fielder. |
| 16.4 : F Allen to Ali Khil, Shorter and on the body, Ikram pulls it towards Gayle at short fine leg. |
| 16.5 : F Allen to Ali Khil, Shorter outside off, this is hit through point for one. |
| 16.6 : F Allen to R Shah, Loopy ball on off, this is hit down to long off for one. |
| Drinks break. So far so good from Afghanistan in this big run chase. After an early blow, they have recovered well through this partnership between Rahmat Shah and Ikram Ali Khil. West Indies have been quite inconsistent with their bowling and have not managed to create enough pressure. 232 needed off 198 balls and this match is still very much in the balance. |
| 17.1 : J Holder to R Shah, Back of a length and on off, Shah goes back and defends it onto the ground. |
| 17.2 : J Holder to R Shah, On the shorter side and on off, Shah pushes it to mid off. |
| 17.3 : J Holder to R Shah, Bangs it short again, Rahmat punches it but straight to mid off. |
| This is a danger period for Rahmat Shah! His last four scores are 35, 24, 36 and 46. This suggests that Rahmat usually throws away his start at this time of his innings. He is on 38 at the moment. |
| 17.4 : J Holder to R Shah, FOUR! Rahmat moves into the 40s! This is short and it sits up at a good height. Shah goes back and pulls it through backward square leg for a boundary. |
| 17.5 : J Holder to R Shah, Shorter in length and outside off, this is guided down to third man for one. |
| 17.6 : J Holder to Ali Khil, NO BALL! Holder has overstepped! He goes short and on middle, this is pulled through square leg for one. Free Hit coming up. |
| J Holder to R Shah, Just the single from the Free Hit! Shorter and around off, this is hit down to long on for one. 8 from the over. 224 needed in 192 balls. |
| 18.1 : F Allen to R Shah, Fuller length ball on middle, Shah works it gently to the left of short fine leg and hurries to the other end. The fielder has a shy but misses the stumps at the bowler's end. |
| 18.2 : F Allen to Ali Khil, FOUR! Floated full ball around leg, Ikram skates down the track and lofts it over mid off. Doesn't quite time it well to clear the rope but still will get a boundary. |
| 18.3 : F Allen to Ali Khil, Runs down the track to a full ball and helps it in the gap at mid-wicket for a run. |
| 18.4 : F Allen to R Shah, FOUR! Quicker one, short and wide outside off, Rahmat camps back and slaps it through backward point. The fielder there runs across to his left before putting in the dive but fails to cut it off. |
| 18.5 : F Allen to R Shah, Fifty for Rahmat Shah, his 15th in ODIs and first in the World Cup! Full and flighted on off, Rahmat drives it down through mid off for a run. It has been a fine knock so far from him but he needs to carry on if Afghanistan want to get a win. |
| 18.6 : F Allen to Ali Khil, Fuller and on off, Ali Khil skips down the track and pushes it to mid off where the fielder makes a diving stop. A single to end a 12-run over. 100 up for Afghanistan! |
| 19.1 : J Holder to Ali Khil, Outside off, Ali Khil guides it to point. |
| 19.2 : J Holder to Ali Khil, On the fuller side, Ali Khil strokes it through covers and takes one. |
| 19.3 : J Holder to R Shah, Back of a length on off, Shah stands tall and pushes it to covers. |
| 19.4 : J Holder to R Shah, On a length again but this time it is on middle, Rahmat punches it to mid on off the back foot. |
| 19.5 : J Holder to R Shah, Another dot as Rahmat hits this back of a length ball to mid on. |
| 19.6 : J Holder to R Shah, 4 dots in a row to end! A good over by Holder. Shorter and on off, Rahmat hits it back to the bowler. |
| 20.1 : F Allen to Ali Khil, FOUR! This is lovely batting from Ali Khil. Also, this brings up the 100-run stand between the two. The chase is well in the balance here because of the them. The milestone is brought up in style. It is short and outside off, Ali Khil goes back and slaps it through covers for boundary. |
| 20.2 : F Allen to Ali Khil, Flatter and on middle, it is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 20.3 : F Allen to Ali Khil, FOUR! Now gets to his fifty in style! Maiden ODI fifty for him. What a knock this has been. He has shown great character and has really fought hard there. A big score is on the offer here. He gets a freebie to get there. Short and on middle, Ali Khil goes back and pulls it hard through mid-wicket. |
| 20.4 : F Allen to Ali Khil, This is tossed up outside off, it turns back in. Ikram looks to work it on the leg side but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 20.5 : F Allen to Ali Khil, Another tossed up ball on off, Ali Khil keeps it out. |
| 20.6 : F Allen to Ali Khil, Brings the sweep shot out but it goes off the inner half to short fine leg. So two boundaries in the over. |
| 21.1 : J Holder to R Shah, Short and wide outside off, guided down to third man for a run. |
| 21.2 : J Holder to Ali Khil, FOUR! Shade of arrogance in this shot! Mid on is up so it's a safe shot. Latches onto a length ball wide outside off and thumps it over the infield. The mid off fielder runs after it but the ball teasingly goes to the fence. |
| 21.3 : J Holder to Ali Khil, Slower one this time, around off, Ali Khil keeps it out to mid-wicket. |
| 21.4 : J Holder to Ali Khil, Turns it off his pads through square leg and immediately calls for two. Gets it with ease in the end. |
| 21.5 : J Holder to Ali Khil, Back of a length ball on middle and off, Ali Khil taps it down to point and looks for a run. He is sent back. |
| 21.6 : J Holder to Ali Khil, Shortish and on off, Ikram jumps and cuts it through the line. The point fielder dives across to his left to make the stop. Good cricket all around. 7 from the over, 196 needed off 168 balls. |
| Carlos Brathwaite is on now! |
| 22.1 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, This is angled into the batter, Shah looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads. |
| 22.2 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, FOUR! Too full and a boundary! The Windies are under pressure here. On middle, Shah strokes it past mid on and the ball races to the fence. |
| 22.3 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, Goes back to bowling length on off, Shah keeps it out. |
| 22.4 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, Another one on a length and around off, Shah once again defends it out. |
| 22.5 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, Very full and on middle, this is hit down to long on for one. |
| 22.6 : C Brathwaite to Ali Khil, Ali Khil comes down the track but Carlos smartly bowls it slower. Ikram chips it down through mid on for one. |
| Jason Holder to continue from this end... |
| 23.1 : J Holder to Ali Khil, Fuller and on middle, Ikram whips it towards deep square leg for one. |
| 23.2 : J Holder to R Shah, Back of a length on off, Shah guides it to point. |
| 23.3 : J Holder to R Shah, Around off again, Shah plays it late and to point. |
| 23.4 : J Holder to R Shah, Three dots in a row now as this length ball is once again played to point. |
| 23.5 : J Holder to R Shah, Just a single now! This is once again angled into the batter, Shah hits it down to long on for one. |
| 23.6 : J Holder to Ali Khil, FOUR! Spoils the over! Ends up being a good one for Afghanistan. Ali Khil is on the charge! This is fuller and on the pads, Ikram works it through backward square leg and it races away to the fence. |
| 24.1 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, DROPPED! Sheldon Cottrell has dropped an absolute sitter! West Indies needed a wicket, Brathwaite produces an opportunity but Sheldon spills it. This could prove very costly here. A slower one and on middle, Shah looks to clear long on but it goes off the top edge towards that fielder who does not hang on. |
| 24.2 : C Brathwaite to Ali Khil, On the pads, this is worked to short fine leg. |
| 24.3 : C Brathwaite to Ali Khil, Another slower one on middle, Ikram works it to mid-wicket. |
| 24.4 : C Brathwaite to Ali Khil, Direct hit and Shah was a goner! Ali Khil comes down the track but Carlos bowls it short and it is a slower one. Ikram looks to heave it but it goes off the inner half to short fine leg. Shah goes for a run. Roach has a shy but misses. |
| 24.5 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, Fuller and on middle, this is hit down to long on for one. |
| 24.6 : C Brathwaite to Ali Khil, Fuller outside off, Ali Khil strokes it through covers for one. |
| Change in the bowling attack. The Universe Boss, Chris Gayle, is warming up and getting ready to bowl. There is a buzz around the stadium. People just love to see him in action. |
| 25.1 : C Gayle to Ali Khil, Flighted delivery, full and on middle, Ikram dances down the track and eases it to long on for a run. |
| 25.2 : C Gayle to R Shah, Slower through the air, full and angling down, Rahmat stays back to work it through square leg for a single. |
| 25.3 : C Gayle to Ali Khil, Nearly sneaks through! Ali Khil jumps out of the crease and almost yorks himself. He digs it out back and Gayle jumps to collect it over his head. Doesn't do so cleanly and they cross for a single. |
| 25.4 : C Gayle to R Shah, Walks forward and tickles it past the mid-wicket fielder for a run. |
| 25.5 : C Gayle to Ali Khil, Quicker one outside off, drilled to sweeper cover for one. |
| 25.6 : C Gayle to R Shah, Advances down the track and pushes it past the diving old bowler for a run at long on. |
| 26.1 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, Fuller and on off, Shah hits it to covers. |
| 26.2 : C Brathwaite to R Shah, OUT! Leading edge and taken! Rahmat Shah's charmed life comes to an end. Cottrell will be a relieved man at the moment and this is a much-needed wicket for West Indies as they have broken the 133-run stand which was worrying them. Carlos bowls this on off, it is the slower one. Rahmat plants his front foot across and looks to flick but closes the face of the bat early. It goes off the leading edge towards cover where Gayle takes a good catch diving forward. The Jama |
| Promotion for Najibullah Zadran. He has shown decent form in this tournament. In his last knock of 42 against Pakistan, he was involved in a few handy stands. Needs to do exactly that again. |
| 26.3 : C Brathwaite to N Zadran, Back of a length on off, this is kept out. |
| 26.4 : C Brathwaite to N Zadran, Another good length ball, Zadran defends it out. |
| 26.5 : C Brathwaite to N Zadran, On the off pole, NZ keeps it out. |
| 26.6 : C Brathwaite to N Zadran, Shorter and on the body, this is worked through square leg for one. End of successful over by CB. |
| 27.1 : C Gayle to N Zadran, Floats it up on off, it pitches and turns away a little. Zadran pushes at it, it goes off the outer half to point. |
| 27.2 : C Gayle to N Zadran, Fuller this time, Zadran strokes it through extra cover for a brace. |
| 27.3 : C Gayle to N Zadran, Quicker and shorter on off, this is pushed to covers. |
| 27.4 : C Gayle to N Zadran, Extremely full and quick, this is jammed out to covers. |
| 27.5 : C Gayle to N Zadran, Edgy runs! Flatter and outside off, Zadran looks to cut but it goes off the outside edge past short third man who gives it a chase and pulls it back in. Two taken. |
| 27.6 : C Gayle to N Zadran, Three to end! Another good stop! This is full and outside off, Zadran creams it through covers. The fielder in the deep runs to his left, dives and pushes it back in. Saves a run for his side. |
| 28.1 : C Brathwaite to N Zadran, Angles in a good length delivery on middle, Zadran chops it down in front of cover-point and scoots to the other end. |
| 28.2 : C Brathwaite to Ali Khil, FOUR! This is good batting from the young man. Picks the shortish length outside off very early and puts it away via a pull shot to the deep mid-wicket fence. 150 comes up for Afghanistan! |
| 28.3 : C Brathwaite to Ali Khil, Follows the batsman down the leg side with a slower full ball, Ikram keeps it out off the inner half towards square leg. The bowler runs to the ball and stops Ali Khil from taking the second run. |
| 28.4 : C Brathwaite to N Zadran, Short and outside off, slower in pace, Najibullah stands tall and plays it down to point. |
| 28.5 : C Brathwaite to N Zadran, Another slower one, shorter in length and outside off, Zadran connects with his back foot punch and sends it to sweeper cover for a run. |
| 28.6 : C Brathwaite to Ali Khil, Too full in length around leg, Ali Khil flicks it with soft hands towards mid-wicket and runs the first run hard. But that's all he will get. |
| Stumping appeal is referred upstairs. It seems that the keeper has not collected the ball cleanly and broken the stumps with his gloves. Oh yes, the replays confirm the same and Ikram Ali Khil gets a lifeline. |
| 29.1 : C Gayle to Ali Khil, NOT OUT! Hope dislodges the bails with his glove. This though will go down as a missed stumping. This is flatter and outside off, Ali Khil looks to sweep but misses. He ends up dragging his feet out of the crease. Hope is in a hurry to take the bails off and hence, does not collect the ball. He does ask the question. The umpire takes it upstairs and the replays show that the ball is not in the gloves when the bails are removed. |
| 29.2 : C Gayle to Ali Khil, Shorter and on middle, Ikram pulls it hard but on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for one. |
| 29.3 : C Gayle to N Zadran, Flatter and on off, this is pushed to covers. |
| 29.4 : C Gayle to N Zadran, Well bowled and well kept! Sees Najibullah go for the reverse sweep so fires it down the leg side. Zadran misses and Hope does well to collect it. |
| 29.5 : C Gayle to N Zadran, Another dot as this is fired on the stumps, NZ pushes it to covers. |
| 29.6 : C Gayle to N Zadran, On the stumps again and Zadran plays it out. Just the one run from the over. 156 needed in the last 20. |
| 30.1 : C Brathwaite to Ali Khil, On the pads, this is worked through square leg for one. It is also a no ball as they have an extra fielder outside the ring. Free Hit coming up. |
| C Brathwaite to N Zadran, Nothing off the Free Hit! A slower one on the fuller side on off. Zadran is way too early in his shot. It goes off the toe end to mid off. |
| 30.2 : C Brathwaite to N Zadran, Good length on off, Zadran drops it on the off side and tries to run but is sent back. |
| 30.3 : C Brathwaite to N Zadran, Shorter in length and that has been pulled powerfully through mid-wicket but for one. |
| 30.4 : C Brathwaite to Ali Khil, Well bowled! Ikram dances down the track and Brathwaite bowls a yorker. Ikram tries to jam it out but it goes off the bottom part towards short fine leg for one. |
| 30.5 : C Brathwaite to N Zadran, EDGY FOUR! Slower ball and fuller in length outside off, Zadran swings but it goes off the outer half, past the dive of Thomas at short third man and into the fence. |
| 30.6 : C Brathwaite to N Zadran, 9 from the over! A big one for Afghanistan! This is shorter and outside off, the batter slaps it through covers and takes one. |
| 31.1 : C Gayle to N Zadran, Fuller and on off, this is hit through covers for one. |
| 31.2 : C Gayle to Ali Khil, Ikram comes down the track and makes this into a full toss. It is hit through mid-wicket for one. |
| 31.3 : C Gayle to N Zadran, Zadran now comes down the track and also makes room. Gayle fires it on the body. NZ hits it to covers. |
| 31.4 : C Gayle to N Zadran, This is darted into the pads, Zadran works it to square leg. |
| 31.5 : C Gayle to N Zadran, Another dot as Zadran this time gets hold of the reverse sweep but can't get it past point. |
| 31.6 : C Gayle to N Zadran, Just a single on the last ball! Another good over by Gayle. This is full and on the pads, it is hit down to long on for one. |
| 32.1 : C Brathwaite to N Zadran, SIX! That is straight as an arrow! That will surely release the pressure which was built in the last over. Full and on middle, Zadran extends his arms and lofts it over the long off fence. Brathwaite is leaking runs. |
| 32.2 : C Brathwaite to N Zadran, This is shorter and outside off, Zadran looks to guide it past backward point but the fielder dives and keeps it to one. |
| 32.3 : C Brathwaite to Ali Khil, A couple! Shorter and on middle, Ikram pulls it towards deep square leg. The fielder in the deep gets to the ball. However, when Roach looks to throw it, it slips out and the batters take one extra run. |
| 32.4 : C Brathwaite to Ali Khil, Another couple! Shorter again on middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket. The long on fielder runs to his left, dives and stops it, although not cleanly. He parries it to his left and by the time gets up to collect and throw, the batsmen complete the second run. |
| 32.5 : C Brathwaite to Ali Khil, A single now as this is worked through mid-wicket. |
| 32.6 : C Brathwaite to N Zadran, A single to end a top over for Afghanistan! 13 from it. This is on middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one. 132 needed in 102 balls. |
| 33.1 : C Gayle to N Zadran, Full and outside off, this is jammed out to covers. |
| 33.2 : C Gayle to N Zadran, Fuller and on off, Zadran hits it back to the bowler. |
| 33.3 : C Gayle to N Zadran, A low full toss on off, NZ hits it to covers. 3 dots. |
| 33.4 : C Gayle to N Zadran, Make that 4 as this very full ball is hit to covers. |
| 33.5 : C Gayle to N Zadran, Just a single now! A full toss and it is quicker. Zadran hits it down to long on and takes one. |
| 33.6 : C Gayle to Ali Khil, Another single to end! Slower through the air on middle, Ikram works it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end. |
| Drinks break. What a chase this is turning out to be! Brave batting by Afghanistan so far. The century stand for the second wicket has really given them a platform and Ikram Ali Khil holds the key. He has got an able partner in Najibullah Zadran and together they are going in quite well. The asking rate though is just over 8 now and they will have to keep that under check. Mouthwatering finish on the cards. |
| Sheldon Cottrell is back! |
| 34.1 : S Cottrell to Ali Khil, Slower one and shorter in length, Ikram mistimes it towards deep mid-wicket for one. |
| 34.2 : S Cottrell to N Zadran, A quick bumper on the body of the batsman, Zadran takes his eyes off the ball and looks to pull but it goes off the higher portion towards backward square leg for one. |
| 34.3 : S Cottrell to Ali Khil, Goes full and on middle, this is hit towards cover. |
| 34.4 : S Cottrell to N Zadran, A swing and a miss! Slower one outside off, Ikram swings across the line but misses. |
| 34.5 : S Cottrell to Ali Khil, Another slower one. This time Ikram waits for it and works it through mid-wicket for one. |
| 34.6 : S Cottrell to N Zadran, A couple to end another good over for West Indies. This is fuller and on middle, this is hit wide of long on for two. |
| 35.1 : C Gayle to Ali Khil, Full and flighted wide outside off, it's swept through square leg for a run. |
| 35.2 : C Gayle to N Zadran, Goes on the back foot and forces it down to long off for a run. |
| DRS time! Ikram Ali Khil has been adjudged lbw. He walks up to his partner and decides to take the review at the last moment. Looks quite straight this. Only an inside edge can save him. No bat on the Ultra Edge. Ball Tracker confirms that everything is right and it's hitting the stumps. |
| 35.3 : C Gayle to Ali Khil, OUT! Ikram Ali Khil has to go back! No century for the young man. But what a knock by him, truly showed his class and character. Gayle strikes here after bowling some really tidy overs. A flighted full off spinner, on middle, Ali Khil tries to sweep but misses. He is rapped on the pads, they appeal and the finger goes up. Ikram has a word with his partner and then goes for the DRS. The replays roll in and they find no bat first and then the Ball Tracker shows three red |
| Asghar Afghan comes out to bat. |
| 35.4 : C Gayle to A Afghan, FOUR! Gayle fires in a full toss on middle, Afghan sweeps firmly and the square leg fielder fails to stop it. A boundary to open the account for Afghan. |
| 35.5 : C Gayle to A Afghan, OUT! Two wickets in this over and this is a run out! The last thing Afghanistan would have wanted. The game has turned on its head. West Indies back on top again. This was just not needed. Very poor from Afghan. He works this with soft hands through mid-wicket and the batters take the first one quickly. Afghan wants a second but Zadran is not interested. AA sees that but still keeps going for it. Zadran eventually has to go for it. It is too late till then. Hetmyer fro |
| Mohammad Nabi arrives in the middle. 118 needed off 85 balls. |
| 35.6 : C Gayle to A Afghan, WIDE! Down the leg side, Afghan looks to pull but misses. |
| C Gayle to A Afghan, Floats it up on middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one. So 9 off the over but two wickets in the over. |
| 36.1 : S Cottrell to A Afghan, Good length ball on middle and off, Afghan defends it off his back foot to the off side. |
| 36.2 : S Cottrell to A Afghan, Straighter in line, it's turned to square leg for a run. |
| 36.3 : S Cottrell to M Nabi, Heading down the leg side, the batsman tries flicking but misses. Given a wide! |
| S Cottrell to M Nabi, Pitches it up and around off, it's driven confidently off the front foot but straight to mid off. Still a run taken. |
| 36.4 : S Cottrell to A Afghan, Shaping back in from a length around off, some extra bounce as well, Afghan tries working it around but gets an inside edge behind towards the keeper. Looks for a run but is sent back. |
| 36.5 : S Cottrell to A Afghan, 200 up for Afghanistan! Too full in length on middle and off, it's drilled down the ground for a run as long on cuts it off. |
| 36.6 : S Cottrell to M Nabi, Works it with gentle hands towards mid on and scampers across to the other end. |
| Kemar Roach is back into the attack! |
| 37.1 : K Roach to M Nabi, Back of a length on off, Nabi pushes it towards cover and wants one but is sent back. |
| 37.2 : K Roach to M Nabi, BEATEN! Good length and just outside off, Nabi looks to play it fine on the off side but is beaten. |
| 37.3 : K Roach to M Nabi, Another dot! Slower one outside off, Nabi guides it to point. |
| 37.4 : K Roach to M Nabi, OUT! Nabi holes out and the wheels for Afghanistan are coming off! This is a big wicket as Nabi is a very, very dangerous player. Roach strikes in the first over of his new spell. He bowls a slower one outside off, Nabi lofts it over covers but straight to the only man out in the deep. Allen there, makes no mistake. Half the side back in the hut for Afghanistan. |
| Samiullah Shinwari is the new batsman. |
| 37.5 : K Roach to A Afghan, This is angled into the pads, Afghan looks to work it on the leg side but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 37.6 : K Roach to A Afghan, Another dot! A wicket maiden by Roach which is tremendous at this stage. Fuller and on off, Afghan strokes it to mid off. |
| 38.1 : S Cottrell to S Shinwari, Short in length around off, Shinwari pulls it in front of square leg and picks up a single. |
| 38.2 : S Cottrell to A Afghan, SIX! Afghan gets into the position early, rocks back and waits for the ball to arrive. Sheldon serves it in his zone and Asghar launches it over mid-wicket. Muscled. |
| 38.3 : S Cottrell to A Afghan, FOUR! Asghar Afghan is doing it for Afghanistan! Short and wide outside off, Afghan rocks back and smashes it right through the gap between short third man and backward point. No stopping this one. |
| 38.4 : S Cottrell to A Afghan, Play and a miss! Afghan is deceived by the slower one. It's short and outside off, Afghan slashes his blade early and misses. |
| 38.5 : S Cottrell to A Afghan, Goes for the yorker but it turns out to be a full toss. Asghar nudges it through mid-wicket and calls for two. Gets it easily. There is some urgency shown by the current Afghan pair. |
| 38.6 : S Cottrell to A Afghan, Once again pushes a full ball with gentle hands towards wide mid on and calls for two. This time though the long on fielder quickly gets to the ball and they have to abort the plan. 14 from the over, 97 needed off 66 balls. |
| 39.1 : K Roach to A Afghan, Outside off, Afghan slashes at it but it goes off the inner half to the keeper. |
| 39.2 : K Roach to A Afghan, Lovely delivery! A slow dipping yorker on middle, Afghan jams it out on the leg side and a run is taken. |
| 39.3 : K Roach to S Shinwari, This is angled into the batter, Shinwari works it through mid-wicket for one. |
| 39.4 : K Roach to A Afghan, Another slower one outside off, Afghan works it behind square on the leg side for one. |
| 39.5 : K Roach to S Shinwari, Another single! This is shorter and on middle, Shinwari pulls it through backward square leg for one. |
| 39.6 : K Roach to A Afghan, One more single! Shorter and outside off, Afghan looks to cut but ends up chopping it on the off side for one. Another top over by Roach. 92 needed in the last 10 overs. |
| Powerplay 3 time! The umpire signals for it and now West Indies can have a maximum of 5 fielders outside the ring till the end. Jason Holder returns into the attack and will be bowling from the 'round the wicket angle. |
| 40.1 : J Holder to A Afghan, Good running! Fuller and outside off, AA looks to drive but it goes off the inner half towards the keeper. The batters take a quick run. |
| 40.2 : J Holder to S Shinwari, Good length and outside off, Shinwari swings but misses. |
| 40.3 : J Holder to S Shinwari, Excellent fielding! This is fuller and on off, Shinwari hits it hard down the ground. Brathwaite, at long off, runs to his right and then dives to push it back in. The long on fielder does the mopping up job and the partnership saves two. |
| 40.4 : J Holder to S Shinwari, WIDE! Way too wide outside off and it has been wided. |
| J Holder to S Shinwari, Full and outside off, bowling to his field is the skipper. Shinwari strokes it through cover-point for one. |
| 40.5 : J Holder to A Afghan, Excellent delivery! A yorker outside off, Afghan looks to put bat on ball but it goes off the inner half to the left of the keeper for one. |
| 40.6 : J Holder to S Shinwari, A dot to end! Very full and outside off, Shinwari looks to carve it but it goes off the inner half back to the bowler. Just the 6 from the over. Afghanistan need a few more than that. 86 needed in 54. |
| 41.1 : K Roach to A Afghan, Bowls it wide outside off, it is a seam-up delivery. Afghan hangs his bat out but gets beaten. |
| 41.2 : K Roach to A Afghan, This is on the pads, Afghan looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It rolls on the off side for one. |
| 41.3 : K Roach to S Shinwari, Another dot! Slower one outside off, Shinwari looks to play it late and fine on the off side but misses. |
| 41.4 : K Roach to S Shinwari, OUT! Hetmyer takes a beauty! Another one bites the dust! Roach gets his third. A good comeback for him. It is a slower one, an off cutter outside off and shorter in length. Shinwari looks to drag it from outside off but does not get enough power behind it. It goes towards deep mid-wicket where Hetmyer runs in and takes a good catch diving to his right. The task keeps getting tougher for Afghanistan. |
| Rashid Khan's turn to bat. His last opportunity in this World Cup to impress. |
| 41.5 : K Roach to A Afghan, Good length and on off, Afghan taps it down to covers and steals a quick run. |
| 41.6 : K Roach to R Khan, A short ball but it is way too short. Wided for height. |
| K Roach to R Khan, A dot to end another successful over for Roach. Fuller and on middle, this is hit back to the bowler. 83 needed in the last 8. Run rate needed above 10. |
| 42.1 : J Holder to A Afghan, Way outside the tramline on the off side, Afghan leaves it and the umpire has wided it. |
| J Holder to A Afghan, FOUR! Up and over with the angle! Fuller and outside off, Afghan goes back and lofts it over covers and bags a boundary. 5 from the over so far. Good start to the over, need to make it count. |
| 42.2 : J Holder to A Afghan, FOUR! 9 from 2 balls now! This is a poor ball with fine leg up. A full toss on the pads, Afghan flicks it fine on the leg side and finds a boundary. |
| 42.3 : J Holder to A Afghan, A single now! Outside off, AA strokes it through covers for one. |
| 42.4 : J Holder to R Khan, Slower one outside off, this is guided through point for one. |
| 42.5 : J Holder to A Afghan, DROPPED! But that was nailed! Holder had little time to react and he could not do so in time. He goes fuller and around off, Afghan smashes it back to the bowler. Holder does get his hands in position to take it but can't close his hands in time. |
| 42.6 : J Holder to A Afghan, A single to end! 12 from the over. So a good comeback by the bowler in the end but still a good over for Afghanistan. This is on a length and around off, Afghan chops it towards short third man for one. 71 needed in 42. |
| 43.1 : K Roach to A Afghan, Short and wide outside off, slapped to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 43.2 : K Roach to R Khan, Misses out there! Full delivery on the pads, Rashid clips it across the line but finds short fine leg. |
| 43.3 : K Roach to R Khan, Roach lets out a grunt and serves a slower short ball outside off. Rashid is early into his flat-batted shot and gets a bottom edge. It goes on one bounce to the keeper. |
| 43.4 : K Roach to R Khan, Slants in a length ball on off, defended back to the bowler from the crease. |
| 43.5 : K Roach to R Khan, Again a grunt is followed by a slower delivery. On a length around middle and leg, Rashid fails to flick and it deflects to point off his pads. They cross for a leg bye. |
| 43.6 : K Roach to A Afghan, Pitches it up and outside off, it's pushed square of the wicket on the off side for a run. Outstanding over to finish an outstanding spell, Roach bowls out with figures of 10-2-37-3! |
| Carlos Brathwaite is back into the attack. There was an initial thought of giving this over to Oshane Thomas. Maybe, from the other end. |
| 44.1 : C Brathwaite to A Afghan, Well bowled! A yorker just inside the tramline. Afghan fails to put bat on ball. |
| 0.0 : Is that caught cleanly? Jason Holder has taken a skier near the long off fence. Has he touched the boundary line? He's sure and is celebrating with his teammates. |
| 44.2 : C Brathwaite to A Afghan, OUT! Yes, that is clean! This is probably the final nail in the coffin as Afghan is walking back. Brathwaite bowls a slower one and fuller in length outside off. Afghan looks to go downtown but it goes off the toe end. Holder there takes a well-judged catch just inside the ropes. The umpire does go upstairs to check and replays show that Holder has done well to stay away from the boundary line. A good innings by AA but he needed to be there till the end. |
| Dawlat Zadran is the new batsman. |
| 44.3 : C Brathwaite to D Zadran, Fuller and outside off, this is hit through covers for one. |
| 44.4 : C Brathwaite to R Khan, Way too wide outside off, Rashid lets it be. Wided. |
| C Brathwaite to R Khan, Another wide as once again this is bowled outside the tramline. |
| C Brathwaite to R Khan, Three wides in a row! Brathwaite is looking to stay away from Rashid's hitting zone but is bowling it too wide outside off. |
| C Brathwaite to R Khan, SIX! Bowls one inside the tramline and Rashid tonks it over the fence. Khan ain't going down without a fight. Slower one and it is fuller in length. Rashid waits for it and lofts it over the long off fence. |
| 44.5 : C Brathwaite to R Khan, A yorker outside off, Rashid jams it through point for one. |
| 44.6 : C Brathwaite to D Zadran, OUT! Sheldon redeems himself this time! This is a very good catch by him. Not sure why Zadran went for that shot though! He needed to hang out there with Rashid but fails to do so. Brathwaite bowls this fuller and on middle, Zadran looks to go big. He does not get the desired elevation and hits it flat towards wide long on. Cottrell runs to his right and takes a tumbling catch. So 11 runs did come off the over but two wickets from it. 57 in 30 needed with only two |
| Sayed Shirzad to bat next. There is a bowling change as well. As expected, Oshane Thomas to operate from this end. |
| 45.1 : O Thomas to R Khan, A bouncer around middle and leg, Rashid ducks to save his life. |
| 45.2 : O Thomas to R Khan, Beaten! Thomas delivers it on a length outside off, Rashid though is glued inside the crease and ends up pushing and missing inside the line. The last delivery forced him to do that. |
| 45.3 : O Thomas to R Khan, Big swing and a miss. This time Rashid gives the charge to the fast bowler. Tries dismissing it over the boundary line but is beaten for pace. |
| 45.4 : O Thomas to R Khan, Another miss. Good length and wide outside off, Rashid flashes and misses. |
| 45.5 : O Thomas to R Khan, Pooran drops! A full toss on off, Rashid gets bat on ball and pumps it through the line. It goes aerial to Pooran at extra cover who puts down a sitter at the edge of the circle. A single taken. |
| 45.6 : O Thomas to S Shirzad, FOUR! Wow, Shirzad opens his account with a delightful boundary. Very full in length around leg, Shirzad gets behind it and bludgeons it down to long on for a boundary. |
| 46.1 : C Brathwaite to R Khan, Swing and a miss! Slower one outside off, Rashid swings across the line and misses. |
| 46.2 : C Brathwaite to R Khan, Another dot as this is just inside the tramline on the off side, Rashid leaves it thinking it is a wide. It is not. |
| 46.3 : C Brathwaite to R Khan, OUT! Once again the Brathwaite-Holder partnership combines to hunt down a wicket. West Indies are a wicket away now. CB goes fuller and around off, Rashid hits it flat towards long off. It is hit well but does not get the distance as Holder takes another good catch near the fence. Fourth wicket for CB! |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman is the last man in! |
| 46.4 : C Brathwaite to Ur Rahman, He is off the mark as he pulls this through mid-wicket for one. |
| 46.5 : C Brathwaite to S Shirzad, SIX! In the air... but over this time! Good shot, this! A low full toss on middle, Shirzad gets low and lofts it over the long on fence for a biggie. He also wants to present a fight. |
| 46.6 : C Brathwaite to S Shirzad, Keeps strike now as he guides this through point for one. |
| 47.1 : O Thomas to S Shirzad, Shorter and outside off, it is flat-batted to mid on for no runs. |
| 47.2 : O Thomas to S Shirzad, Length and outside off, Shirzad swings but misses. |
| 47.3 : O Thomas to S Shirzad, Fuller this time and on off, Shirzad drags it over mid-wicket for one. |
| 47.4 : O Thomas to Ur Rahman, FOUR! Beats the fielder inside the circle and bags a boundary! Mujeeb joins the action. Fuller and on middle, Mujeeb hits it past the diving mid on fielder and a boundary results. |
| 47.5 : O Thomas to Ur Rahman, On the fuller side, Mujeeb smashes it hard but to deep mid-wicket for one. |
| 47.6 : O Thomas to S Shirzad, A single to end! A yorker on middle, this is jammed out through mid-wicket for one. |
| 48.1 : C Brathwaite to S Shirzad, A yorker on middle, this is jammed out to the bowler. |
| 48.2 : C Brathwaite to S Shirzad, Slower one outside off, the batter swings but misses. 4 more balls left for Brathwaite to get a fifer. |
| 48.3 : C Brathwaite to S Shirzad, Make that three now as Shirzad mistimes this down to long on for one. |
| 48.4 : C Brathwaite to Ur Rahman, Fuller and on middle, this is hit through mid-wicket for one. |
| 48.5 : C Brathwaite to S Shirzad, On the bounce! Fuller and on off, Shirzad chips it to long off for one. So one ball left for Brathwaite to get a fifer. Can he? |
| 48.6 : C Brathwaite to Ur Rahman, He does not! He misses by a whisker. Mujeeb makes room and Brathwaite follows him. Mujeeb swings but misses, the ball just about kisses the leg pole. An excellent day with the ball for Brathwaite. His figures are 9-0-63-4. |
| 49.1 : O Thomas to S Shirzad, Yorker outside off, this is jammed out to point. |
| 49.2 : O Thomas to S Shirzad, Shorter now and outside off, Shirzad looks to flat-bat it but misses. |
| 49.3 : O Thomas to S Shirzad, FOUR! Another boundary for Shirzad! A full toss outside off, he gets bat on ball, clears the in-field and it races away to the fence. |
| 49.4 : O Thomas to S Shirzad, Outside off again, Shirzad swings but misses. |
| 49.5 : O Thomas to S Shirzad, SIX! This guy can hit the ball really well! Oshane goes full and on off, Shirzad smashes it over the long off fence for a biggie. |
| 49.6 : O Thomas to S Shirzad, OUT! What a catch to end the game! That is a screamer! Fabien Allen, he is a good fielder but this is something extraordinary. It is outside off, Shirzad looks to hit it over the off side but it goes off the toe-end. Lobs over towards Allen at cover-point, who runs back, dives by stretching his left hand out and takes a one-handed stunner. He is elated and so are the West Indian players. They end the World Cup with a win by beating AFGHANISTAN BY 23 RUNS! |
| Another tale of Afghanistan presenting a good fight but then running out of gas before the chequered flag! They close their campaign win-less but have plenty of positives to take forward. Even towards the end of this chase, their lower order batsmen put up a spirited show and narrowed down the defeat margin. |
| Chris Gayle has the match ball in his hand as he waves to the crowd. This is the last of the big man at the biggest stage. Plenty of smiles and hugs. He has always been a likable character and is loved all over the world for his unique style. |
| Coming to the summary of this match, West Indies put up a strong batting show and powered their way to a total in excess of 300. Barring Gayle, all their top batsmen performed and the century partnership between Pooran and Holder provided the real impetus at the death. In chase, Afghanistan lost their skipper early but the 133-run stand between Ikram Ali Khil and Rahmat Shah kept on track. Both played delightfully and till the time they were in, Afghanistan were in with a chance. |
| Post the second wicket stand, Afghanistan tried to maintain the same intensity through Najibullah Zadran and Asghar Afghan but they failed to bat longer and the batsmen who followed fell in a heap. After an ordinary beginning with the ball, West Indies picked themselves up and tightened the screws. Kemar Roach was the best bowler for them in terms of control while Carlos Brathwaite with a 4-fer was the most successful bowler for the Caribbean team. Chris Gayle also bowled some tidy overs and he |
| SHAI HOPE IS THE MAN OF THE MATCH! Says it was important they get that score on the board. Feels that Afghanistan have some decent spinners and it was necessary for them to have the launching pad heading towards the end. States he is not very happy with his performance in this World Cup but hopes he can go from strength to strength. Ends by saying he is happy he finished on a high and hopes to carry it in the next series. |
| Afghanistan skipper, Gulbadin Naib says they did finish with a good score but at once it did look like they will win the game. Credits the way Rahmat Shah and Ikram played. Further adds that Ali Khil, who is very young, played very well but it is not only him and they have a lot of good youngsters back in Afghanistan. Hopes they keep getting stronger. Further adds he has learned a lot from this World Cup. Ends by saying that the fitness is a big issue for them and they need to improve. Also want |
| West Indies skipper, Jason Holder says it was good to get over the line. Mentions that they have had some close encounters in this tournament but he is happy they got over the line today. States the batters set the tone and 300 was a good total. Further adds they did not start as they wanted with the bat but they kept on building partnerships and finished strongly. Admits they were inconsistent in all the three departments throughout the tournament and they need to get a lot more consistent. He |
| Done with the match. 111 runs were given by the Afghan bowlers in the last 10 overs and that cost them big in this match. Plenty of lessons for both sides as they end their campaign here. We now switch our attention to the next match on Friday at Lord's between Pakistan and Bangladesh which is almost a dead rubber. The action will begin at 1030 local (0930 GMT). Do join us then. Cheers! |
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