Afghanistan managed to achieve a competitive total of 158/5 in the series opener against India after a slow start. Mohammad Nabi's impressive hitting played a pivotal role.
Afghanistan concludes the initial innings with a defendable total after a sluggish start to their campaign. Mohammad Nabi's impressive hitting guided them to 158/5 in 20 overs during the series opener.
Well played, Mohammad Nabi.
He scored 42 runs from 27 balls including 2 fours and 3 sixes against India in first T20I match - A fine Knock from Nabi. pic.twitter.com/OrFYubVbSa
Arshdeep Singh initiated proceedings with a maiden over and created an opportunity when Ibrahim Zadran struck one to Shivam Dube at mid-off, who unfortunately dropped the catch with the skipper at just 1 run.
Dube swiftly made amends by dismissing Ibrahim on the second delivery of his bowling spell. Azmatullah Omarzai also survived a drop off Dube's bowling, courtesy of Rohit Sharma, but not before the Indian skipper executed a remarkable catch in the covers to dismiss Zadran.
The opening pair cautiously built a 50-run partnership, with Axar Patel claiming the first wicket and Dube securing the second in the subsequent over. Rahmat Shah's T20I debut ended without much impact, leading the team to slide to 57/3 at the halfway mark.