India claimed an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series after securing a seven-wicket win over Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
India clinched a seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan in 14.5 overs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series.
Returning from a quadriceps injury after conceding 30 runs in two overs during Sunday's series opener, 23-year-old all-rounder Nitish Kumar turned in a strong bowling performance. Nitish claimed three wickets for 24 runs in his three overs to help restrict Afghanistan to 159 for eight.
Jasprit Bumrah set the platform early with a maiden over, allowing Arshdeep Singh to strike in the following over as Rahmanullah Gurbaz miscued a pull to Ravi Bishnoi at mid-on. Nitish later broke a 51-run second-wicket stand between Sediqullah Atal and Afghan captain Ibrahim Zadran by dismissing Zadran, before also taking the wicket of Gulbadin Naib.
Ravi Bishnoi, playing in place of the injured Varun Chakaravarthy, dismissed Sediqullah, who was caught by Tilak Varma at long-off. Despite a brisk 29-run partnership between Azmatullah Omarzai and Darwish Rasooli, and a 48-run seventh-wicket stand between Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan, Afghanistan could only post 159.
In reply, 31-year-old opener Sanju Samson hit a 22-ball 57 to ensure Shreyas Iyer's side comfortably chased down the target.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Cricket. Photo courtesy The Hindu Cricket.