Ibrahim Zadran, bowlers power Afghanistan to victory against WI

Afghanistan defeated West Indies by 23 runs in the T20 World Cup warm-up match in Bengaluru thanks to Ibrahim Zadran's half-century and the combined efforts of the bowlers. Afghanistan's opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz made an immediate impression when he was given the bat. In the first over, he hit two fours off Akeal Hosein, a left-arm spinner, before hitting a string of big hits in the next over. Ibrahim, his partner, also got in on the action, scoring 16 runs in the fifth over bowled by Jayden Seales. Afghanistan was cruising at 62 for no loss at the end of the powerplay, and the openers continued to rack up runs. The 90-run stand was finally broken by spinner Gudakesh Motie in the ninth over. After the 10th over, Roston Chase and Motie kept Afghanistan at bay, removing Sediqullah Atal and Darwish Rasooli with three fours off Shamar Joseph in the 15th over. After that, Azmatullah Omarzai entertained the crowd with some big hits before retiring for 35, giving Afghanistan a competitive score of 182. Within the powerplay, West Indies lost four wickets in the chase. Omarzai struck twice, getting rid of Shai Hope and Brandon King in the first two games, while Mujeeb got Johnson Charles and Fazalhaq Farooqi got rid of Chase. With 32, Rovman Powell briefly fought back without much assistance from the opposing team. After that, Matthew Forde, who started at No. 9, launched a vigorous attack, scoring 19 runs off Noor Ahmad and soaring to a half-century off 25 balls. The lower order of the West Indies, however, was unable to keep up with the rising asking rate, and they ultimately failed.