• India defeated Afghanistan in the first T20I by 6 wickets.

  • Axar Patel returned with impressive figures of 4-0-23-2.

Twitter reactions: Shivam Dube, bowlers sizzle in India’s emphatic win over Afghanistan in 1st T20I
India beat Afghanistan in the first T20I (Image Source: Twitter)

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In the opening match of the Afghanistan tour of India 2024, the cricket enthusiasts witnessed an exhilarating contest at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. India displayed all-round show and registered an emphatic victory.

Mohammad Nabi takes Afghanistan to a competitive total

Afghanistan’s innings saw them posting a competitive total of 158/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, and Azmatullah Omarzai made valuable contributions, scoring 23, 25, and 29 runs respectively. However, it was Mohammad Nabi’s explosive innings of 42 runs off 27 balls, featuring 2 fours and 3 sixes, that anchored Afghanistan’s innings. The Indian bowlers faced a challenging task, with Mukesh Kumar and Axar Patel each claiming two wickets to curtail Afghanistan’s momentum.

The standout performance with the ball for India came from Shivam Dube, who bowled a tight spell of 2 overs, conceding only 9 runs and taking a crucial wicket. His contribution played a pivotal role in limiting Afghanistan’s total to a manageable score.

Shivam Dube guides India over the finish line

Chasing a target of 159 runs, India’s top order faced early setbacks, with Rohit Sharma departing for a duck. However, a brilliant partnership between Shubman Gill (23) and Tilak Varma (26) steadied the ship. The highlight of India’s innings was Dube’s explosive knock, scoring 60 runs off 40 balls, including 5 fours and 2 sixes. Jitesh Sharma (31) and Rinku Singh (16) provided valuable contributions, guiding India to a comfortable victory.

Afghanistan’s bowlers tried to make a comeback, with Mujeeb Ur Rahman taking 2 wickets for 21 runs, but Dube’s aggressive innings proved to be the difference. India reached the target with 2.3 overs to spare, securing a convincing 6-wicket win in the first match of the series.

Also READ: IND vs AFG – Here’s why Yashasvi Jaiswal not playing today’s game in Mohali against Afghanistan

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Also READ: England Legend James Anderson reveals his favorite bowler in Test cricket

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AKSHAT GAUR
Akshat is the Sr. Content Strategist at CricketTimes.com. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Akshat has honed his skills over 6 years, working with various media outlets, publications, and organizations to deliver high-quality content that informs, educates, and entertains audiences. He is just another cricket fan who’s grown up watching the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Cricket runs in his veins. Cover drive is his favorite sight, and a ball meeting the middle of the bat is his favorite sound. You can write to him at akshat.gaur@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter, Facebook & Linkedin.