Match Ended   
1st T20I, Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali , Jan 11, 2024
IND IND
159/4 (17.3/20)
AFG AFG
158/5 (20.0/20)
India beat Afghanistan by 6 wickets
  • Player of the Match
    Shivam Dube
    60(40)&1/9(2)
AFG 158/5
Bat Top Batsmen
<a href=/cricket/players/1313-mohammad-nabi-playerprofile>Mohammad Nabi</a>
Mohammad Nabi
42 (27)
  • 2x4s
  • 3x6s
  • 155.55SR
<a href=/cricket/players/112961-azmatullah-omarzai-playerprofile>Azmatullah Omarzai</a>
Azmatullah Omarzai
29 (22)
  • 2x4s
  • 1x6s
  • 131.81SR
Bowl Top Bowlers
Bowler
Axar Patel
ECON 5.75
4
OVERS
23/2
R/W
Bowler
Mukesh Kumar
ECON 8.25
4
OVERS
33/2
R/W
IND 159/4
Bat Top Batsmen
<a href=/cricket/players/107521-shivam-dubey-playerprofile>Shivam Dube</a>
Shivam Dube
60 (40)
  • 5x4s
  • 2x6s
  • 150SR
<a href=/cricket/players/106754-jitesh-sharma-playerprofile>Jitesh Sharma</a>
Jitesh Sharma
31 (20)
  • 5x4s
  • 0x6s
  • 155SR
Bowl Top Bowlers
Bowler
Mujeeb Ur Rahman
ECON 5.25
4
OVERS
21/2
R/W
Bowler
Azmatullah Omarzai
ECON 8.25
4
OVERS
33/1
R/W
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Right then, the first-ever bilateral T20I series between India and Afghanistan has got off to a fine start and the hosts have taken the 1-0 lead. There are still a couple of games to go and now the caravan moves to the Holkar Stadium in Indore for game number 2. That match will be played on Sunday, 14 January and will begin at 7 pm IST (1.30 pm GMT). You can however join us early for the build-up. Till then, take care and goodbye!
Shivam Dube is the Player of the Match for his brilliant all-round display. He starts off by saying that the weather was really cold and he enjoyed the outing and playing at number 4. He further says that he had a bit of pressure on him but was only focusing on doing well for the side. He then talks about the pressure which only lasts for the first 2 or 3 overs in a match after which the instincts take over. He then concludes that Rohit Sharma has backed him well and appreciated the efforts he has put in so far which helped him execute well in this game.
India's captain, Rohit Sharma says that he has not played in conditions colder than this. Adds that it was extremely cold and he was not able to feel his finger when he took the catch. Shares that there were a lot of positives, especially with the ball. Adds that spinners bowled well and pacers also got the job done. On his run out, he says that these things happen. Mentions that he wanted Shubman Gill to carry on but he got out after playing a beautiful little innings. States that knocks from Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, and Tilak Varma and the way Rinku Singh finished was pleasing to see. Also says that they want to challenge themselves in uncomfortable conditions but not at the cost of the game and all in all, it was a good day.
The skipper of Afghanistan, Ibrahim Zadran says they were 30-40 runs short and losing the toss was crucial. He further says that they were trying to have a good start in the Powerplay but lost back-to-back wickets which made it difficult. He also says that one of them has to stay at the crease and carry on till the 14th or 15th over. He then talks about the dew in the second innings which made it difficult for the bowlers to grip the ball. He concludes that they will have to improve on their fielding and batting and there seemed no issue with the bowling.
The Presentation ceremony...
Rinku Singh is in for a flash interview. He starts by saying that it has become a habit of batting at number 6 and finishing games. Mentions that he enjoyed batting but it was tough out there in the field. Shares that he tries to stay calm by talking to himself. Further adds that MS Dhoni advised him during the last Indian T20 League season to stay calm and let the bowler react according to the situation. States that he does not try to complicate his game by thinking too much and lets his instincts take over.
Earlier in the game, Rohit Sharma won the toss for India after a run of successive 11 lost tosses in a row for India across all formats and different captains and put Afghanistan into bat. Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz laid the platform for the visitors with a 50-run stand. It wasn't quick but they had something to build on but both fell in quick succession and then it was the 68-run stand between Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai that got Afghanistan back into the contest. Nabi was particularly aggressive and made quick runs but they once again lost wickets in a heap before eventually a cameo by Najibullah Zadran got them close to the 160-run mark. With the ball, Axar Patel was the pick of the three spinners as he got two wickets and was economical as well. The pacers bowled well and Arshdeep Singh was a bit unlucky to go wicketless but Mukesh Kumar and Shivam Dube did pick up crucial wickets. Coming to the chase, India lost a few wickets along the way but stayed ahead of the required rate at all times and Dube's inning with the bat ensured there was no late hiccup.
Afghanistan didn't have the runs on the board but did get a lucky breakthrough in the very first over. They failed to capitalize through and even after Mujeeb Ur Rahman got the wicket of Shubman Gill, they weren't able to build on it. The pacers were a bit off the pace and tried to bowl too many slower deliveries on a deck where the ball was sliding on and that negated the purpose of those slower deliveries. Mujeeb Ur Rahman bowled really well and Fazalhaq Farooqi was good too but the likes of Naveen-ul-Haq and Mohammad Nabi went for plenty and weren't able to even it out a bit with wickets to their names. In the end, they fell well short against a world-class team and were handed a thumping.
Fireworks in the end from Shivam Dube to round off a pretty comfortable win for India and the hosts take a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. An entertaining game of cricket but with Afghanistan falling 25 runs short of the average first-innings score of 183 runs at the venue, sooner or later, India would have been able to gun down the target and that is what happened. The Indian innings began on a disastrous note when Shubman Gill was caught ball-watching and the phase of play ended with the run out of the skipper Rohit Sharma for a duck. Gill however made amends with some exiting shots before falling prey to his aggressive inhibitions. Then came the stand between the two southpaws where Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube stitched together 44 runs and got India on top of proceedings. After Varma fell, Jitesh Sharma came in and played a quickfire cameo before getting out as well. In between all of this, Dube remained unfazed and kept on getting the boundaries away whenever he got the chance and went into overdrive mode towards the end. Dube sealed a stellar fifty and hit the winning runs as well with a maximum.
Over 17.3 : 159/4
11 Runs
  • 117.1
  • 617.2
  • 417.3
S. Dube
60 (40)
R. Singh
16 (9)
Naveen
3.3-0-43-0
17.3
4
Naveen-ul-Haq To Shivam Dube
FOUR! THAT'S IT! Shivam Dube gets the job done for India! Naveen-ul-Haq bangs it in short, around the right shoulder of the batter, Shivam Dube stays deep in the crease and pulls it comfortably over short fine leg for a boundary. It almost went the distance but four is enough for India to win by 6 wickets and go 1-0 up in the series!
A slight delay in proceedings as the ball seems to be lost behind the sightscreen. They do get the ball eventually and we are good to continue.
17.2
6
Naveen-ul-Haq To Shivam Dube
SIX! BANG! Straight as an arrow! Naveen-ul-Haq comes from around the wicket and bowls it right in the arc of the southpaw, on a length, on middle, Shivam Dube clears his front leg and lets his long levers do the rest. Swings cleanly and smokes it towards the sightscreen for a maximum. Just 4 runs needed now!
17.1
1
Naveen-ul-Haq To Rinku Singh
Bangs it in short, around leg, Rinku Singh gets inside the line and pulls it down to fine leg for a single.
Over 17 : 148/4
8 Runs
  • 116.1
  • 416.2
  • 116.3
  • 016.4
  • 116.5
  • 116.6
R. Singh
15 (8)
S. Dube
50 (38)
A. Omarzai
4-0-33-1
16.6
1
Azmatullah Omarzai To Rinku Singh
A bit too full, outside off, Rinku Singh leans on it and drives it crisply towards extra cover where the fielder makes a half-stop but the single was always on.
16.5
1
Azmatullah Omarzai To Shivam Dube
FIFTY FOR SHIVAM DUBE! First with the ball and now with the bat, it has been an impressive showing from Dube! Full and sliding on the pads, Shivam Dube rolls his wrists and clips it through square leg for a single to bring up his second T20I fifty.
16.4
0
Azmatullah Omarzai To Shivam Dube
In the channel on off, on a length, Shivam Dube gets lured into the drive and gets beaten on the outside edge. The replays in the next over show that there was a noise and a big outside edge on it. Very strange that no one including the keeper even went up for the appeal.
16.3
1
Azmatullah Omarzai To Rinku Singh
Fuller this time, around off, Rinku Singh pushes it to deep cover to rotate the strike.
16.2
4
Azmatullah Omarzai To Rinku Singh
FOUR! Clever, very clever! Good-length delivery with an upright seam, slanting across the batter, Rinku Singh lets the ball come to him and opens the bat face to use the pace. Steers it to the left of short third man for a boundary.
16.1
1
Azmatullah Omarzai To Shivam Dube
Angling across the left-hander, on a good length, on off, Shivam Dube stays leg side of the ball and knocks it to the left of long off for a single.
Over 16 : 140/4
9 Runs
  • 415.1
  • 115.2
  • 115.3
  • 115.4
  • 115.5
  • 115.6
S. Dube
48 (35)
R. Singh
9 (5)
Naveen
3-0-32-0
15.6
1
Naveen-ul-Haq To Shivam Dube
Fuller and into the pads, Shivam Dube flicks it from the crease to deep backward square leg for another single.
15.5
1
Naveen-ul-Haq To Rinku Singh
A fraction fuller and on the leg stump this time, Rinku Singh nudges it to deep mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
15.4
1
Naveen-ul-Haq To Shivam Dube
Just short of a length around off at 113.1 clicks, Shivam Dube miscues his short-arm pull towards deep mid-wicket for another single.
15.3
1
Naveen-ul-Haq To Rinku Singh
Short of a length and on top of off, Rinku Singh pulls it along the ground towards deep square leg for a single.
15.2
1
Naveen-ul-Haq To Shivam Dube
Fuller this time and into the stumps, Shivam Dube knocks it to long off for a single.
15.1
4
Naveen-ul-Haq To Shivam Dube
FOUR! That's picked up to perfection. Afghanistan bowlers are missing their lines and it's proving to be costly. Naveen-ul-Haq drops the length short and around middle and off, Shivam Dube stands tall and heaves it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Over 15 : 131/4
10 Runs
  • 014.1
  • 414.2
  • 114.3
  • 214.4
  • 1 WD 14.5
  • 114.5
  • 114.6
S. Dube
41 (31)
R. Singh
7 (3)
F. Farooqi
3-0-26-0
14.6
1
Fazalhaq Farooqi To Shivam Dube
Back-of-the-hand slower delivery, on a back of a length again, around off, Shivam Dube waits on it and works it through square leg for a single. 10 runs off the over and India now need 28 runs off the last five overs!
14.5
1
Fazalhaq Farooqi To Rinku Singh
Angling into the left-hander, on a back of a length, on middle, Rinku Singh turns this one away to deep mid-wicket and gets to the other end
14.5
wd
Fazalhaq Farooqi To Rinku Singh
WIDE! Tries to surprise the batter by a bumper but this one sails over Rinku Singh's head for a wide.
14.4
2
Fazalhaq Farooqi To Rinku Singh
At 131.4 clicks, on a short of a length, outside off, Rinku Singh picks up the length early and pulls it off the front foot through the vacant mid-wicket region. Naveen-ul-Haq at deep mid-wicket, runs and dives to his right. He relays the throw to the fielder to his right which is a bit wayward but the second run was always on.
14.3
1
Fazalhaq Farooqi To Shivam Dube
Takes pace off does Farooqi and bowls it on a good length, on off, Shivam Dube picks the change of pace and dabs it with an open bat face to deep point for a single to rotate the strike.
17 OV
8 Runs
A. Omarzai to S. Dube R. Singh
  • 116.1
  • 416.2
  • 116.3
  • 016.4
  • 116.5
  • 116.6
16 OV
9 Runs
Naveen to S. Dube R. Singh
  • 415.1
  • 115.2
  • 115.3
  • 115.4
  • 115.5
  • 115.6
15 OV
10 Runs
F. Farooqi to S. Dube R. Singh
  • 014.1
  • 414.2
  • 114.3
  • 214.4
  • 1 WD 14.5
  • 114.5
  • 114.6
14 OV
9 Runs
Ur Rahman to S. Dube J. Sharma R. Singh
  • 113.1
  • 013.2
  • 413.3
  • 013.4
  • W 13.5
  • 413.6
13 OV
10 Runs
A. Omarzai to J. Sharma S. Dube
  • 412.1
  • 212.2
  • 212.3
  • 112.4
  • 112.5
  • 012.6
12 OV
12 Runs
G. Naib to S. Dube J. Sharma
  • 411.1
  • 111.2
  • 011.3
  • 411.4
  • 211.5
  • 111.6
11 OV
7 Runs
A. Omarzai to S. Dube J. Sharma
  • 010.1
  • 110.2
  • 010.3
  • 110.4
  • 110.5
  • 410.6
10 OV
9 Runs
Naveen to S. Dube J. Sharma
  • 29.1
  • 19.2
  • 49.3
  • 09.4
  • 19.5
  • 19.6
9 OV
8 Runs
A. Omarzai to T. Varma S. Dube J. Sharma
  • 18.1
  • 18.2
  • 48.3
  • W 8.4
  • 18.5
  • 18.6
8 OV
14 Runs
Naveen to S. Dube T. Varma
  • 17.1
  • 67.2
  • 17.3
  • 17.4
  • 17.5
  • 47.6
7 OV
16 Runs
M. Nabi to T. Varma S. Dube
  • 16.1
  • 66.2
  • 1 WD 6.3
  • 16.3
  • 1 WD 6.4
  • 16.4
  • 16.5
  • 46.6
6 OV
0 Runs
Ur Rahman to S. Dube
  • 05.1
  • 05.2
  • 05.3
  • 05.4
  • 05.5
  • 05.6
5 OV
8 Runs
M. Nabi to T. Varma S. Dube
  • 04.1
  • 14.2
  • 14.3
  • 04.4
  • 14.5
  • 54.6
4 OV
9 Runs
Ur Rahman to T. Varma S. Gill S. Dube
  • 13.1
  • 43.2
  • 03.3
  • 43.4
  • W 3.5
  • 03.6
3 OV
11 Runs
F. Farooqi to T. Varma S. Gill
  • 02.1
  • 12.2
  • 42.3
  • 02.4
  • 42.5
  • 22.6
2 OV
3 Runs
Ur Rahman to T. Varma S. Gill
  • 01.1
  • 11.2
  • 11.3
  • 01.4
  • 01.5
  • 11.6
1 OV
5 Runs
F. Farooqi to R. Sharma T. Varma S. Gill
  • 00.1
  • W 0.2
  • 10.3
  • 00.4
  • 00.5
  • 40.6
Match Info
Match Notes
  • Innings Break: Afghanistan 158/5 in 20.0 overs
  • N Zadran dropped on 11 by T Varma in 19.5 overs
  • Afghanistan 150/5 in 19.4 overs
  • 4th wkt Partnership: 50 off 32 balls between A Omarzai (24) and M Nabi (26)
  • Afghanistan 100/3 in 14.3 overs
  • A Omarzai dropped on 9 by R Sharma in 11.3 overs
  • Drinks: Afghanistan 57/3 in 10.0 overs
  • 1st wkt Partnership: 50 off 46 balls between R Gurbaz (23) and I Zadran (25)
  • Afghanistan 50/0 in 7.4 overs
  • Mandatory Power play (1-6): Afghanistan 33/0
  • I Zadran dropped on 1 by S Dube in 2.5 overs
  • India 155/4 in 17.2 overs
  • S Dube 2nd T20I fifty: 50 runs in 38 balls (4x4) (1x6)
  • India 101/3 in 11.5 overs
  • Drinks: India 83/3 in 10.0 overs
  • India 52/2 in 6.5 overs
  • Mandatory Power play (1-6): India 36/2
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