Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai hit half centuries as Afghanistan made a competitive total against World Cup hosts India in Delhi.
Shahidi produced a captain’s knock with 80 off 88 balls while Omarzai contributed a useful 62 off 69 to propel Afghanistan to 272 for eight from their 50 overs.
India will be expected to knock off their victory target under the lights, and build on their opening game win over Australia, but it may prove slightly more problematic than expected beforehand.
Innings Break!
4⃣ wickets for @JASPRITBUMRAH93
2⃣ wickets for vice-captain @HARDIKPANDYA7
1⃣ wicket each for @IMKULDEEP18 & @IMSHARDTarget 🎯 for #TEAMINDIA – 273
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— BCCI (@BCCI) OCTOBER 11, 2023
Afghanistan’s top three all got starts without cashing in and it was left to the skipper and his fellow middle-order batsman to stabilise and they did so to great effect with a partnership of 121 for the fourth wicket.
Omarzai’s dismissal halted the flow and India took wickets at regular intervals thereafter to prevent their opponents from a total in excess of 300.
Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the Indian attack with four for 39 from his 10 overs with Hardik Pandya claiming two for 43.
