West indies vs Afghanistan :Afghanistan won by 38 runs
Cricket has a way of telling stories far bigger than the scorecard, and on this memorable night, Afghanistan authored another chapter of belief, resilience, and quiet dominance. Against the proud and powerful West Indies, a team steeped in history and flair, Afghanistan didn’t just win a match — they announced, once again, that they belong among cricket’s most competitive nations. At the heart of this commanding victory were two young men carrying the hopes of a nation on their shoulders: Darwish Rasooli and Ibrahim Zadran.
From the first ball to the last, Afghanistan played with clarity, calmness, and confidence. There was no rush, no panic — only purpose
A Confident Beginning
Winning the toss, Afghanistan chose to bat first, a decision that spoke volumes about their mindset. There was belief in their batting depth and trust in their ability to post a challenging total. The West Indies bowlers came in with aggression, hoping to unsettle the Afghan openers early, but Rasooli and Zadran had other plans.
The opening overs were a test of patience. The Caribbean pace attack probed, bounced, and swung the ball, yet the Afghan batters stood tall. Ibrahim Zadran, composed as ever, played late and close to his body, while Rasooli rotated the strike smartly, refusing to let pressure build.
Slowly, the partnership began to grow — not with reckless shots, but with intelligent cricket.
Ibrahim Zadran: The Anchor of Assurance
Ibrahim Zadran has long been known as a batsman with maturity beyond his years, and this innings only strengthened that reputation. Against a bowling attack rich in experience, he showed remarkable discipline. Every leave, every defensive shot, carried intent.
Zadran’s strength was his ability to read the game. When the bowlers erred in line, he punished them with crisp drives and well-timed pulls. When they tightened up, he absorbed the pressure without frustration. His fifty came not with celebration, but with quiet determination — a reflection of his character.
More than the runs, it was his presence at the crease that steadied Afghanistan. He became the pillar around which the innings was built.
Darwish Rasooli: Youthful Brilliance with Fearless Flair
If Zadran was the anchor, Darwish Rasooli was the spark.
Batting with elegance and freedom, Rasooli brought energy into the Afghan innings. His footwork against spin was delightful, and his confidence against pace stood out. He didn’t just play shots — he expressed himself. Cover drives that kissed the turf, lofted strokes that sailed with grace, and sharp singles that kept the scoreboard ticking.
What made Rasooli’s innings special was his temperament. Despite his youth, he never looked rushed. He chose the right moments to attack, breaking the rhythm of the West Indies bowlers and forcing them into defensive fields.
As the partnership crossed fifty, then a hundred, it became clear that Afghanistan were not just competing — they were controlling the game.
A Platform Turned into Power
After the departure of Zadran, Afghanistan didn’t lose momentum. Rasooli continued to lead, supported well by the middle order. The batters understood the value of the platform laid by the openers and built on it with responsibility.
Boundaries flowed in the latter overs, but there was no mindless slogging. Each shot had calculation behind it. The final total on the board was not just competitive — it was imposing, a reflection of a team that knew exactly what it was doing.
For West Indies, the frustration was visible. Their bowlers tried variations, changes in pace, and field adjustments, but Afghanistan remained one step ahead.
Bowlers Seal the Statement
Chasing a challenging target, West Indies needed a strong start, but Afghanistan’s bowlers had other ideas. From the very first over, there was intensity in the field and discipline with the ball.
The Afghan pace attack struck early, removing key West Indies batters and putting the chase on the back foot. The spinners then took control, weaving their magic with flight, turn, and sharp cricketing brains. Every dot ball added pressure, every wicket drained confidence.
What stood out was the unity in the Afghan side. Fielders dived, chased, and celebrated every small victory together. This wasn’t just a team playing cricket — this was a team playing for pride.
West Indies Struggle to Respond
To their credit, the West Indies tried to fight back. A couple of batters showed resistance, flashing glimpses of the power they are famous for. But the required run rate kept climbing, and Afghanistan never loosened their grip.
Mistimed shots, smart catches, and relentless bowling ensured that the Caribbean side never truly threatened the target. The end came not with drama, but with calm assurance — a fitting finish to Afghanistan’s all-round performance.
Afghanistan Innings
181/3 in 20 overs
Top scores:
• Ibrahim Zadran — 87 (56 balls)*
• Darwish Rasooli — 84 (59 balls)
Rahmanullah Gurbaz was out on 0 and Sediqullah Atal scored 2.