IND vs AFG: Shubham Dube guides India to a thumping win in the first T20I against Afghanistan at Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Thursday. In pursuit of 159 runs, Rohits men chase down the target in 17.3 Overs. Shivam Dube smashed a brilliant fifty and remained unbeaten on 60 off 40 deliveries including 5 boundaries and 2 maximums.6⃣,4⃣ and Shivam Dube wraps the chase in style 🙌#TeamIndia win by 6 wickets and take a 1-0 lead in the T20I series 👏👏Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/BkCq71Zm6G#INDvAFG | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @IamShivamDube pic.twitter.com/4giZma4f1u— BCCI (@BCCI) January 11, 2024Captain Rohit Sharma, returning to the T20I fold after a years hiatus, fell without scoring to the second ball of the chase. However, Shubman Gill and Tilak Verma steadied the ship with a 28-run stand before Mujeeb Ur Rahman sent Gill back to the pavilion for 23.Ominous hitting by Shivam DubeShivam Dube looked in ominous touch against the formidable Afghan bowling attack. The 30-year-old unleashed a flurry of boundaries, reaching his second T20I fifty off just 38 deliveries. While Tilak Verma fell for 23, Jitesh Sharma provided valuable support with a quick-fire 31 off 20 balls.For his unbeaten 60*(40) in the chase, Shivam Dube is adjudged the Player of the Match 👏👏#TeamIndia win the 1st T20I by 6 wickets 👌👌Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/BkCq71Zm6G#INDvAFG | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @IamShivamDube pic.twitter.com/mdQYdP8NsQ— BCCI (@BCCI) January 11, 2024With Dube holding firm at the other end, Rinku Singh chipped in with a handy cameo to guide India home with ease. Dube remained unbeaten on 60, his knock included five boundaries and two maximums. Mujeeb Ur Rahman was the pick of the bowlers who claimed two wickets.First innings highlightsEarlier, put into bat first, Afghanistan found themselves under the gun thanks to some disciplined bowling from the Indian pace attack. Arshdeep Singh started with a maiden over and nearly had Ibrahim Zadran dismissed early as Shivam Dube spilt a catch at the gully.Despite the dropped chance, India maintained the pressure, claiming three wickets between the sixth and tenth overs. Axar Patel was the wrecker-in-chief, picking up two wickets, while Dube redeemed himself by dismissing Zadran.Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai threatened to resurrect the Afghan innings with a 68-run partnership, but Mukesh Kumar broke the stand by removing Omarzai for 29. Nabi followed suit soon after, falling for 42 off the same bowler.Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat added some late impetus to the Afghan score, but their efforts proved insufficient against a dominant Indian bowling performance. Ultimately, Afghanistan finished on 158/6 as Mukesh Kumar and Axar Patel claimed two wickets each.
