West Indies VS Afghanistan

 **WI vs Afghanistan Today: Key Highlights and Match Summary**

In a thrilling encounter, West Indies and Afghanistan faced off in a highly anticipated match that delivered intense cricketing action, showcasing the talents and competitive spirit of both teams. Here are the key highlights and a summary of today's match:

 **First Innings: West Indies Batting Performance**

West Indies won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to set a formidable target. The opening pair, Shai Hope and Evin Lewis, started cautiously, building a steady foundation. However, Afghanistan's bowlers, led by Rashid Khan, maintained tight lines and lengths, preventing the West Indies batsmen from scoring freely.

Evin Lewis was the first to fall, caught behind off a sharp delivery from Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Despite losing an early wicket, Shai Hope anchored the innings, playing some exquisite shots. Nicholas Pooran joined Hope and the duo put up a significant partnership, taking the score past 100. Pooran, known for his aggressive batting, hit a quickfire 50, laced with boundaries and sixes.

However, Afghanistan's bowlers struck back, with Rashid Khan removing Pooran with a brilliantly disguised googly. The middle order struggled to capitalize on the good start, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Shai Hope’s resilient innings came to an end at 78, and the West Indies were eventually bowled out for 256 in 49.3 overs.

### **Second Innings: Afghanistan's Chase**

Chasing a target of 257, Afghanistan's openers, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai, came out with positive intent. Gurbaz, in particular, was aggressive from the outset, scoring boundaries at will. The West Indies bowlers found it difficult to contain the opening pair, who put on a 75-run partnership before Zazai was dismissed by Alzarri Joseph.

Gurbaz continued to dominate, reaching his half-century in quick time. However, the introduction of spin changed the game’s dynamics. Akeal Hosein bowled a crucial spell, picking up the wickets of Gurbaz and Najibullah Zadran in quick succession, putting Afghanistan on the back foot.

Mohammad Nabi and Hashmatullah Shahidi then steadied the innings, taking singles and rotating the strike effectively. The required run rate climbed steadily, but the experienced Nabi kept Afghanistan in the hunt with a composed knock. His dismissal for 46, however, swung the momentum back in favor of the West Indies.

The final overs were a nail-biting affair. Rashid Khan, known for his all-round capabilities, tried to take Afghanistan across the line but fell short as the West Indies bowlers held their nerves. Afghanistan finished at 245/9, losing the match by a narrow margin of 11 runs.

 **Key Performances**

- **Shai Hope**: His 78 runs provided the backbone of the West Indies innings.

- **Nicholas Pooran**: A quickfire 50 that added crucial runs to the total.

- **Rashid Khan**: Starred with both ball and bat, taking key wickets and scoring valuable runs in the chase.

- **Rahmanullah Gurbaz**: His aggressive half-century gave Afghanistan a solid start.

**Conclusion**

The match was a classic example of competitive cricket, with both teams displaying remarkable skills and fighting spirit. West Indies managed to hold their nerves in crucial moments, securing a hard-fought victory. Afghanistan, despite the loss, showed they are a formidable side capable of challenging any team.

This win is significant for the West Indies, boosting their confidence as they progress in the tournament. Afghanistan, on the other hand, will look to learn from this experience and come back stronger in their next match. The cricketing world was treated to a memorable game, with both teams earning plaudits for their performances.