Afghanistan vs West Indies, 2nd T20I Match Summary

It is a quick turnaround in the UAE as Afghanistan and West Indies lock horns again for the 2nd T20I at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. With the Afghans holding a commanding 1–0 lead after a comprehensive 38-run victory on Monday, the Men in Maroon have it all to do to keep this three-match series alive. Afghanistan will be walking on air after their batting masterclass in the opener. Despite a shaky start that saw opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz depart for a golden duck, Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli stitched together a record-breaking 162-run stand to completely shift the momentum. Their bowling attack looks lethal; with Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad operating in tandem, they have a web of spin ready to trap the opposition. However, they will be hoping for a more solid start from the top order to truly cement their dominance. On the other side of the ring, the West Indies are fielding a secondary side with heavyweights like Shai Hope and Akeal Hosein missing due to SA20 duties. The visitors struggled to pick the variations in the first game, crumbling to 143/9 despite brave cameos from Johnson Charles and Quentin Sampson. Gudakesh Motie was the silver lining with the ball, conceding just 18 runs in his spell, but the Windies need their batters to fire and their bowlers to hunt in pairs if they want to level the series tonight. Expect a fascinating contest under the Dubai lights. For Afghanistan, it is about sealing the series and testing their middle-order depth. For the two-time world champions, this is a massive opportunity to experiment with new talent and find some rhythm despite the absence of their senior pros. Can the West Indies bounce back with some Caribbean flair, or will the Afghan spinners run riot once again? It is all to play for in Dubai!