All-rounder Shivam Dube defied bitterly chilly climate to hit an unbeaten half-century and take one wicket as India eased to a snug win over Afghanistan within the first Twenty20 worldwide on Thursday. Dube, a left-handed batsman, made 60 off 40 balls for his second T20 fifty as India chased down their victory goal of 159 with 15 balls and 6 wickets to spare at Mohali. India lead the three-match sequence 1-0 as they put together for the T20 World Cup in June. India’s bowlers led by spinner Axar Patel restricted Afghanistan to 158-5 regardless of an attacking 42 by Mohammad Nabi on a cold winter night.
Temperatures plummeted to simply 9 levels (48 Fahrenheit) within the northern metropolis the place summer season warmth can soar to a scorching 40-plus levels.
Some gamers have been seen utilizing hand heaters to maintain out the bone-jarring chill.
“It was extraordinarily chilly to be sincere,” returning skipper Rohit Sharma, who was run out for a duck after a combination up with Shubman Gill, mentioned after the win.
He added: “There have been quite a lot of positives, particularly with the ball. Wasn’t the simplest of circumstances however our spinners bowled notably effectively.”
Axar and quick bowler Mukesh Kumar took two wickets every whereas Dube returned figures of 1-9 from his two overs of medium-pace bowling.
However it was his batting that made the distinction as he steered the chase with key partnerships together with a 45-run stand with Jitesh Sharma, who made 31, and an unbeaten 42 with Rinku Singh, 16 not out.
The 30-year-old Dube received the sport with a six and 4 and was named man of the match.
Rohit returned to guide India after over a 12 months’s absence within the T20 format and elected to discipline first.
Afghanistan skipper Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz placed on 50 for the opening wicket earlier than the Indian bowlers hit again with Axar returning figures of 2-23.
Axar, a left-arm spinner, had Gurbaz stumped for 23 and Zadran fell to Dube, who had earlier dropped the skipper on one, on 25.
Rahmat Shah had a forgettable debut after he was bowled by Axar for 3 however Nabi got here in to regular the innings after which launch an assault with Omarzai.
Kumar minimize quick Omarzai’s innings on 29. Nabi smashed three sixes and two fours in his 27-ball knock earlier than falling to Kumar.
“We have been fairly lazy with the fielding at present,” Zadran mentioned. “We are going to attempt to enhance batting as effectively. Bowling we’ve no problem. Will deal with what we did incorrect at present.”
India’s Virat Kohli missed the sport on account of “private causes” whereas Afghanistan spin king Rashid Khan stays out of the sequence as he recovers from a again surgical procedure.
The second match is in Indore on Sunday.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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