Afghanistan defeats West Indies in first T20 by 38 runs

Afghanistan secured a 38-run victory over West Indies in the opening match of their three-match T20 series on Monday in Dubai, posting 181-3 before restricting the visitors to 143-9.

Ibrahim Zadran scored an unbeaten 87 off 56 balls and Darwish Rasooli made 84 off 59 balls for a record third-wicket partnership of 162 runs. Rashid Khan took 2-19 and Mujeeb Ur Rahman claimed 2-29. West Indies debutant Quentin Sampson scored 30 and Gudakesh Motie made 28. Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan said, "As long as we are bringing our best skills to the game, it doesn’t matter whether we bat first or second." West Indies captain Brandon King stated, "We are disappointed to lose the game."

A second source reported a separate T20 match on Wednesday, also described as a T20 World Cup warm-up, where Afghanistan scored 182-6 to win by 23 runs with West Indies finishing at 159-7. In that account, Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 43 off 28 balls and Ibrahim Zadran made 51 off 34 before retiring out, with Azmatullah Omarzai adding 35 off 15 and Rasooli 27. For West Indies, Matthew Forde was unbeaten on 52 off 26, Rovman Powell scored 32 and Jason Holder 25 not out.

AP News detailed West Indies' early promise with Gurbaz run out on the first ball of the first match and a catch by King, but Afghanistan recovered. West Indies dropped catches and conceded heavily late. In their chase, Mujeeb and Rashid took early wickets, including King, Evin Lewis and Shimron Hetmyer.

The series serves as preparation for next month’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The next matches are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.