Afghanistan vs West Indies Match 2

Afghanistan produced a gritty and disciplined performance to defeat West Indies by 3 wickets in a tense, low-scoring clash at the Daren Sammy Stadium, leveling the series 1-1. The match swung rapidly between both sides, but Afghanistan’s composure in the final overs sealed a memorable victory.

The West Indies innings never found stability after a shaky start, collapsing early to Fazalhaq Farooqi’s fiery new-ball spell, which removed Brandon King and Nicholas Pooran inside the first two runs. Although Shimron Hetmyer played a steadying knock of 25 (21), regular breakthroughs from Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Farooqi kept the pressure on. A crucial unbeaten 28 off 19 balls from Rahkeem Cornwall lifted the hosts to 78/7, but the total remained modest against a sharp Afghan attack.

Chasing 79, Afghanistan also stumbled at the top, losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, and Hazratullah Zazai cheaply. The middle order was dented again when Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat fell in quick succession, leaving the team struggling at 42/6. However, Azmatullah Omarzai’s calm and powerful 27 (12)* revived the chase, while cameos from Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan helped Afghanistan edge closer despite tight spells from Obed McCoy and Rahkeem Cornwall, who picked up two wickets apiece.

In a tense finish, Omarzai held firm as Afghanistan crossed the target with five balls to spare, completing a resilient chase under mounting pressure. The all-round brilliance of Rahkeem Cornwall, with 28 and 2/28*, earned him the Man of the Match, but it wasn’t enough to stop Afghanistan from roaring back into the series.