Afghanistan continued their impressive run in T20 cricket with a commanding 39-run victory over West Indies in the second T20 International in Dubai, clinching the three-match series with an unassailable 2 0 lead.
The match was highlighted by a sensational hat trick from mystery spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, along with composed half centuries from Sediqullah Atal and Darwish Rasooli.
Asked to bat first after West Indies won the toss, Afghanistan recovered strongly from an early setback to post a competitive total of 189 for four in their allotted 20 overs.
The Afghan top order stumbled inside the power play, but Atal and Rasooli steadied the innings with a crucial partnership that shifted momentum firmly in their side’s favour.
Rasooli followed up his strong performance in the series opener with a fluent 68 off 39 deliveries, striking the ball cleanly against both pace and spin.
At the other end, Atal played a measured knock of 53, rotating the strike effectively while punishing loose deliveries.
Their partnership laid the foundation for a strong finish, which was further boosted by Azmatullah Omarzai’s unbeaten cameo late in the innings.
Chasing 190, West Indies found themselves under immediate pressure as Afghanistan’s bowlers maintained discipline and intensity.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman turned the match decisively during the middle overs, removing key batters and keeping the scoring rate in check.
His dismissals of Evin Lewis and Johnson Charles on successive deliveries left the West Indies reeling early in the chase.
The victory also serves as a timely boost for Afghanistan as they continue preparations ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The hat-trick moment arrived later when West Indies captain Brandon King, who had played a fighting knock of 50, fell to Mujeeb, completing a rare and memorable feat.
With that delivery, Mujeeb became only the third Afghan bowler to register a T20 International hat trick, joining Rashid Khan and Karim Janat in an elite list.
Shimron Hetmyer provided brief resistance with a blistering 46 off just 17 balls, striking several towering sixes to keep West Indies in the contest.
However, once he departed, the chase lost momentum, and the Caribbean side was eventually bowled out for 150 in 18.5 overs.
Mujeeb finished with an excellent four-wicket haul and was named Player of the Match for his match-winning spell.
Azmatullah Omarzai and Fazalhaq Farooqi provided solid support, picking up two wickets each as Afghanistan maintained control throughout the innings.
With the series already secured, Afghanistan will now look to complete a clean sweep in the final T20, while West Indies aim to restore pride.
