Afghanistan clinches T20 series over West Indies with Mujeeb Ur Rahman's hat trick

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman claimed a hat trick and 4-21 as Afghanistan secured a 39-run victory over West Indies in the second T20 international on Wednesday, clinching the three-match series.

Afghanistan posted 189-4 after West Indies won the toss and bowled first. Darwish Rasooli scored 68 off 39 balls, following his half-century in the series opener, while Sediqullah Atal made 53 in a 115-run partnership. Azmatullah Omarzai finished unbeaten on 26 off 13 balls.

West Indies were bowled out for 150 in 18.5 overs. Mujeeb's hat trick came in his final over, dismissing captain Brandon King (50) and Quentin Sampson after earlier removing Evin Lewis and Johnson Charles, leaving West Indies at 38-3 after eight overs. Shimron Hetmyer hit 46 off 17 balls with six sixes, but fell to Fazalhaq Farooqi (2-28). Azmatullah Omarzai took 2-20.

Mujeeb became the third Afghan to achieve a hat trick in T20s, after Rashid Khan and Karim Janat. "The plan was to keep it simple and hit the stumps," Mujeeb said. "Didn’t know I was on a hat trick and I was just looking to hit the right areas. Good preparation for us before the World Cup. This win will give us more energy."

West Indies captain Brandon King said, "Hetty (Hetmyer) played a fantastic innings, but after he got out, I had to be the person finishing it. The fielding has been a disappointment but that’s something we keep working on."

The series concludes Thursday. Afghanistan warmed up for next month’s T20 World Cup.