Windies scrambles to level series

The Windies overcame a mini-scare to complete a series-levelling four-wicket victory in a low-scoring second One-Day International against Afghanistan in Gros Islet on Sunday.

Struggling against the extra pace and bounce of the Windies pace attack, Afghanistan was shot out for 135 in 37.3 overs, the lowest ODI total recorded at the Darren Sammy Stadium.

Shai Hope then finished with a patient unbeaten 48 off 77 balls to stave off the threat of Rashid Khan, the leg-spinner, and take Windies across the finish line with more than 10 overs to spare, ensuring that there was no repeat of the embarrassing meltdown of the first ODI after the host had slipped at one stage to 98 for 5.

Opting to bat on the same pitch used for Friday’s first ODI, Afghanistan found the Windies bowlers difficult to navigate as they adopted a consistent line of short-pitched bowling on the body, exposing the technical inadequacies of most of the Afghan batsmen.

It was on the back of 51 off 73 balls by Gulbadin Naib, who was the last man dismissed, that Afghanistan was able to post 135, a huge improvement on its 51 for 6 when Naib came to the crease.

Jason Holder, the Windies captain, Shannon Gabriel and Alzarri Joseph exploited the helpful surface with two wickets apiece while Ashley Nurse (2-15), the off-spinner, wrapped up the innings with the wicket of Naib to a catch at long-off as he miscued another big hit.

After his match-winning 7 for 18 in the 63-run win for Afghanistan in the first ODI, Rashid was again the most potent threat with 3 for 26 from his 10 overs.

Naib also chipped in with two wickets and at 72 for 4 when Jason Mohammed fell for 2, after having been 55 for 1, it looked as if another embarrassing capitulation might follow.

But Roston Chase (9) and Rovman Powell (17), in the side for the injured Miguel Cummins, hung around long enough with Hope to see the Windies to the target, even though it was left to Holder (11) to hit the winning runs.

Windies will be concerned about Gabriel’s fitness after he was forced to leave the field in his sixth over with what appeared to be a side strain. The host will look to avoid the embarrassment of losing a series at home to a non-Test playing nation in the final match on Wednesday.