New Delhi [India], September 13 (ANI): A late resurgence led by Azmatullah Omarzai helped Afghanistan set India a goal of 157 after recovering from a nightmarish top-order collapse within the first T20I of the three-match collection on the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday.
Omarzai’s unbeaten 64 guided Afghanistan’s restoration from 43/5 in seven overs, whereas Arshdeep Singh starred with 3/19. Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy chipped in with a wicket apiece.
After Indian skipper Shreyas Iyer gained the toss and opted to bowl, the Indian bowling assault vindicated his choice nearly instantly, decreasing the guests to 41 for 4 inside the Powerplay.
Returning to his first T20I after the IPL 2026, Jasprit Bumrah made a direct affect, hanging within the very first over to dismiss opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz (0) for a duck.
Afghanistan’s troubles worsened within the fourth over when a superb fielding effort from Ishan Kishan resulted in a run-out. Zadran went after scoring 11 runs..
Arshdeep Singh then eliminated Sediqullah Atal (13) within the following over, who performed a large yorker straight into the arms of Bumrah at quick third.
Axar Patel capped off the dominant Powerplay by dismissing Gulbadin Naib (2), who sliced a lofted shot to Nitish Kumar Reddy within the outfield.
Thriller spinner Varun Chakaravarthy joined the celebration within the seventh over, crashing by way of the defences of Darwish Rasooli (2) to go away Afghanistan reeling at 43 for five in 7 overs.
Following the collapse, Azmatullah Omarzai and veteran Mohammad Nabi mounted a rescue effort. The pair mixed for a gradual 83-run partnership for the sixth wicket to carry stability to the innings.
Omarzai and Nabi shifted gears within the fifteenth over, smashing 17 runs off Reddy earlier than including one other 16 off Axar Patel’s over. Arshdeep Singh then returned within the seventeenth over to interrupt the partnership, dismissing Nabi for a 27-ball 33.
Bumrah bowled the 18th over and solely conceded 3 runs to complete off his outing with figures of 1/26 in 4 overs.
Arshdeep Singh returned to bowl the penultimate over and struck twice, dismissing Rashid Khan for 1 and Noor Ahmad for a duck, whereas Azmatullah Omarzai accomplished his half-century on the different finish.
Omarzai continued to steer Afghanistan’s combat, with Mujeeb Ur Rahman becoming a member of him within the center. The duo smashed 21 runs off the ultimate over, bowled by Shivam Dube, taking Afghanistan to 156/8 in 20 overs. Omarzai remained unbeaten on 64 off 44 balls, with 4 fours and as many sixes.
Arshdeep Singh (3/19), Axar Patel (1/27), Jasprit Bumrah (1/26) and Varun Chakaravarthy (1/16) had been the wicket-takers as Afghanistan set India a goal of 157 runs to win in 20 overs. (ANI)
