Windies, Afghanistan CB XI all square
LUCKNOW, INDIA (CMC): ALL-ROUNDER RAHKEEM Cornwall reiterated his value with the bat while fast bowler Alzarri Joseph tasted form, as the three-day tour match against an Afghanistan Cricket Board XI finished in a draw here yesterday.
Resuming from their overnight 217 for seven, the Windies were energised by a cameo unbeaten 44 from Cornwall before they were bowled out at lunch for 297 in their second innings.
Cornwall, who made his Test debut against India last August, struck half-dozen fours and two sixes in a 55-ball knock, batting at number 10.
TWO WICKETS LOST
Importantly, he inspired a 59-run last wicket stand with Jomel Warrican (10) after the Windies lost two quick wickets early in the morning session to stumble to 238 for nine.
The 26-year-old picked up four wickets in the Board XI first innings of 158 on Thursday.
Left-arm spinner Hamza Hotak was the leading bowler for the Board XI with four for 91.
Set an improbable 308 for victory, the Board XI got entertaining half-centuries from Ihsanullah Janat (84 not out) and Ibrahim Zadran (76) as they finished on 183 for three.
Ihsanullah, a 32-year-old righthander, stroked 11 fours off 149 balls in nearly three hours and 15 minutes at the crease while Zadran also counted 11 boundaries in a knock requiring 126 balls in a shade under three hours.
They put on 150 for the second wicket after seamer Keemo Paul had removed first innings top-scorer Javed Ahmadi without scoring in the fourth over with four runs on the board.
On 130 for one at tea, Joseph claimed Zadran to a catch at the wicket nearly 45 minutes following the break, and then removed Rahmat Shah for 11 after the righthander put on 27 for the third wicket with Ihsanullah.
The Windies take on Afghanistan in a one-off inaugural Test bowling off at the same venue next Tuesday.