WINDIES SURVIVE RASHID SCARE TO LEVEL AFGHANISTAN SERIES
Gros-Islet (Saint Lucia), June 12: The West Indies overcame a mini collapse on their way to a serieslevelling four-wicket victory in a low-scoring second one-day international against Afghanistan, here.
Afghanistan struggled against the extra pace and bounce of the home seam attack, making just 135 off 37.3 overs, the lowest ODI total at the Darren Sammy Stadium.
Shai Hope then scored a patient unbeaten 48 to stave off the threat of Afghan leg-spinner Rashid Khan and take the home side across the finish line with more than 10 overs but just four wickets to spare after falling at one stage to 98/5.
Choosing to bat again on the same pitch used for the first match two days earlier, the tourists found the West Indies bowlers to be an entirely different proposition as they adopted a consistent line of short-pitched bowling on the body which exposed the technical inadequacies of most of the Afghan batsmen.
Only Gulbadin Naib, who was last out for a top score of 51, offered any meaningful resistance.
His enterprising innings off 73 balls included two sixes and two fours, saving his side from complete humiliation after they were 51/6 when he came to the crease. — AFP Scores: Afghanistan 135 in 37.3 overs (G. Naib 51, S. Gabriel 2/25, A. Joseph 2/15, R. Chase 1/15) lost to West Indies 138/6 in 39.2 overs (E. Lewis 33, S. Hope 48 not out, R. Khan 3/26, G. Naib 2/15)