English Woman's Journal - Nabi lifts Afghanistan to 158-5 in first India T20

Weather - London 9°C

Nabi lifts Afghanistan to 158-5 in first India T20

SPORTS 11.01.2024

Nabi lifts Afghanistan to 158-5 in first India T20 / Photo: Arun SANKAR - AFP

Former captain Mohammad Nabi smashed a quickfire 42 to guide Afghanistan to 158-5 against India in the first of the three T20 internationals on Thursday.

Change text size:

Nabi took stock after Afghanistan slipped to 57-3 in 10 overs as he put on an attacking 68-run stand with Azmatullah Omarzai, who hit 29, on a chilly evening in Mohali.

Rohit Sharma returned to lead the side after over a year's absence in the T20 format and elected to field first as the teams prepare for the T20 World Cup in June.

Skipper Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz put on 50 for the opening wicket before the Indian bowlers hit back with spinner Axar Patel returning figures of 2-23.

Axar, a left-arm spinner, got Gurbaz stumped for 23 and Zadran fell to medium-pace bowler Shivam Dube, who had earlier dropped the skipper on one, on 25.

Rahmat Shah had a forgettable debut after he was bowled by Axar for three but Nabi came in to steady the innings and then launch an attack with Omarzai.

Mukesh Kumar cut short Omarzai's innings on 29. Nabi smashed three sixes and two fours in his 27-ball knock before falling to Kumar.

Najibullah Zadran, a left-hand batsman, hit an unbeaten 19 as Afghanistan managed 28 runs from the final two overs but India would fancy to get their winning target of 159.

India's Virat Kohli has missed the opener due to "personal reasons". Afghanistan spin king Rashid Khan remains out of the series as he recovers from a back surgery.

K.McMillan--EWJ

Featured

FA Cup Second-Round Draw Confirmed for Non-League and Midlands Clubs

The FA Cup second-round draw has been finalized, setting up crucial ties for non-league teams aiming to reach the third round proper. Several clubs from the Midlands, including Burton Albion and Kidderminster Harriers, have secured their next opponents following recent victories over lower-league opposition.

Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.

Virginia overwhelms Arkansas 91-72 behind balanced scoring

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thijs De Ridder scored 16 points, one of five players in double figures for No. 9 Virginia as the Cavaliers routed No.

Tayyab Arif hits 57 on Pakistan Test debut against Sri Lanka

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Tayyab Arif smashed an aggressive half-century on debut and provided a new-look Pakistan lineup a confident start to the first cricket test against Sri Lanka on Monday. The 20-year-old Tayyab struck nine boundaries and a six in his 57-run knock as Pakistan reached 137-2 at lunch on a greenish wicket that lured Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis to bowl first after winning the toss.

Change text size: