ICC Men's World Cup: India thrash Afghanistan by eight wickets

Sports Reporter :
Hosts India thrashed Afghanistan by eight wickets in their second match of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s World Cup at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, the capital city of India on Wednesday.

Chasing Afghanistan’s modest total of 272 for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 50 overs, India romped home making 273 for the loss of two wickets when they had 90 deliveries to spare.

India had a formidable start with two openers Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan put on together 156 runs in the opening stand before Kishan was dismissed by Rashid Khan.

Kishan hit a run-a-ball 47 including five fours and two sixes.

Rohit Sharma and one-down Virat Kohli contributed together 49 runs for the second wicket partnership before Rohit was bowled out by Rashid Khan when India’s total was 205 for the loss of two wickets.

Rohit hammered a hurricane 131. His 84-ball innings was decorated with five sixes and 16 fours. He was adjudged the Man of the Match for his magnificent innings.

After Rohit’s departure, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer powered their team to anchor the victory target putting together 68 runs for the unbroken third wicket partnership.

Kohli remained unbeaten with 55. He hit six fours in his 56-ball innings.

Iyer remained unbeaten with 25. His 23-ball innings had one four and one sixer. Rashid Khan bagged a pair of wickets in the space of 57 runs.

Earlier, Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai fought back against the tight and controlled bowling attack of India bowlers.

Shahidi and Omarzai built the most worthy partnership for the war-torn country.

They scored together 121 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Omarzai was bowled out by Hardik Pandya when Afghanistan’s score was 184 for the loss of four wickets.

After dismissal of Omarzai, Shahidi was trapped leg before wicket by Kuldeep Yadav when Afghanistan’s total was 225 for the loss of five wickets.

Shahidi hit a captain’s knock of 80 runs. His 88-ball innings was studded with eight fours and a sixer.

Omarzai hit a superb 62.

He struck four sixes and two fours in his 69-ball knock.

Jasprit Bumrah was the day’s most successful bowler.

He captured four wickets in the space of 39 runs.

Hardik Pandya bagged a pair of wickets instead of 43 runs. Shardul Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav took one wicket each for 31 and 40 runs respectively.