IND vs AFG: Gulbadin's stars as Afghanistan post 172 in 2nd T20I

India took control of the second T20I against Afghanistan at the Holkar Cricket Stadium on Sunday after winning the toss and inviting the visitors to bat first. Afghanistan responded well with a respectable 172/10, thanks to a fiery 28-ball half-century from Gulbadin Naib. However, Indian bowlers led by Arshdeep Singh (3/32) kept the Afghans in check.

Four wickets fall in the final over as Afghanistan are all out for 172 runs in 20 overs.#TeamIndia chase underway.

Live - https://t.co/CWSAhSZc45 #INDvAFG@IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/uiAjfzf35O

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 14, 2024

Naib roars with explosive fifty

The Afghan veteran, Gulbadin Naib, stole the show, hammering a blistering 57 off just 35 balls. His knock includes five boundaries and four maximums. The fiery innings came after the interval of nine years. 

𝐑𝐔𝐍𝐒: 5️⃣7️⃣
𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐒: 3️⃣5️⃣
𝐒𝐈𝐗𝐄𝐒: 4️⃣
𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒: 5️⃣
𝐒.𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐄: 1️⃣6️⃣2️⃣.8️⃣5️⃣@GbNaib was on a show this evening in Indore! 🔥#AfghanAtalan | #INDvAFG2024 | @LavaMobile | @IntexBrand | @EtisalatAf pic.twitter.com/Bchtr6xFhe

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) January 14, 2024

Lower order adds late spark

While Naib provided the middle-order stability, valuable contributions from the lower order propelled Afghanistan past the 150-run mark. Mujeeb Ur Rahman (21 off 9 balls) and Karim Janat (20 off 10) played crucial cameos to ensure a respectable total.

Arshdeep leads the bowling charge

Despite Naib's fireworks, Arshdeep Singh emerged as the star performer for India with his disciplined bowling. He scalped three crucial wickets, including Naib's, and kept the Afghan batsmen in check throughout his four-over spell. Ravi Bishnoi and Axar Patel claimed two wickets each while Shivam Dube scaled the wicket of Azmatullah Omarzai. 

Series on the line as India eyes victory

India is already up 1-0 in the three-match series, this match holds immense importance for both teams. A win for India would secure the series, while Afghanistan desperately needs a victory to keep their hopes alive. Virat Kohli is making a return in the cricket's shortest format after the heartbreak of the semi-final loss against England in T20 World Cup 2022. 

Afghanistan playing XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Gulbadin Naib, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

India playing XI: Rohit Sharma(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma(w), Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar.