West Indies vs Afghanistan

Afghanistan won by 5 wickets

In a well-contested match at the twilight of the group stage, Afghanistan continued their impressive run by defeating West Indies by 5 wickets, successfully chasing down 212 with 5 wickets in hand and 14 balls to spare. The victory showcased Afghanistan's growing maturity in pressure situations and underlined their strength in both spin and middle-order stability. Batting first, West Indies struggled to gain momentum on a slow surface. Despite a promising start, their innings never really accelerated. They posted 212/9 in 50 overs-a below-par total given their explosive reputation. Shai Hope anchored the innings with a gritty 58, but lacked support from the other end. Afghanistan’s spinners, especially Rashid Khan (3/38) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/34), choked the flow of runs and consistently broke partnerships. Their variations on a turning pitch proved too much for the Caribbean batsmen. In response, Afghanistan approached the chase with patience and precision. Rahmanullah Gurbaz gave them a brisk start with a 35-run knock, while Hashmatullah Shahidi held the innings together with a calm and composed 61*. His partnerships with Najibullah Zadran and later Mohammad Nabi helped rebuild after minor hiccups. Even though West Indies tried to bounce back with wickets in the middle overs, they failed to apply sustained pressure. The defining element was Afghanistan’s ability to absorb pressure and rotate strike efficiently, avoiding unnecessary risks while keeping the scoreboard moving. Their chase was calculated, with minimal panic-even when wickets fell. For West Indies, this loss raises questions about their middle-order consistency and lack of penetration in bowling during the middle overs. Conversely, Afghanistan’s strong all-round performance continues to enhance their reputation as a disciplined and fast-rising side in world cricket.