Chasing the Windies’ total of 248 to win, Afghanistan had more to fight than just Sheldon Cottrell’s pace and Roston Chase’s spin.
As the floodlights were turned on, huge black moths made themselves comfortable on the pitch and the boundary line, forcing the West Indies players to don masks. A thin veil of smog also covered the Ekana International Cricket Stadium, hampering visibility in the process.
Vast swarms of moths were spotted around the crease and along the boundary ropes, making things difficult for the tourists. West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard and Jason Holder also had a chat with the on-field umpires regarding the same, but play was not halted.
The Caribbean side, though, still managed to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Finally an ODI series victory for the West Indies after more than five years.
The last ODI series they won was against Bangladesh at home on 25 Aug 2014. Won the series 3-0. During this period lost 13, drew 2 series.
They also appeared in six tournaments without success.#AFGvWI— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) November 9, 2019
Asked to bat first, Pollard’s men posted 247/9 in their stipulated 50 overs, riding on a 50-ball 67 by Nicholas Pooran and a 75-ball 54 from opener Evin Lewis. Shai Hope (43) and Shimron Hetmyer (34) were the other contributors for the Windies.
Seamer Naveen-ul-Haq claimed three wickets to emerge as the best bowler for Afghanistan.
West Indies returned to dismiss Afghanistan for 200 in 45.4 overs to complete the 47-run victory.
All-rounder Najibullah Zadran was the top-scorer for the Afghans with a 66-ball 56, his knock studded with seven boundaries and a six.
The last and final ODI of the three-match series will be played on Monday (November 11).
