India Thrash Afghanistan by 170 Runs, Seal Series 2-0 in Lucknow
India defeated Afghanistan by 170 runs in the second ODI held at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow and took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ongoing three-match bilateral series.
Chasing a big target of 403 runs, Afghanistan openers Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmatullah Gurbaz added a quick 52 runs for the first wicket.
Playing just his second ODI match, Gurnoor Brar provided the first breakthrough to India and dismissed Gurbaz in the eighth over. The swashbuckling opener made 41 runs off 33 balls with the help of seven fours and a six.
Earlier, it was the debutant Prince Yadav, who had dismissed Gurbaz, but the delivery was called a No-Ball by the third umpire, which delayed Yadav's first wicket in international cricket.
Zadran was the next to depart when Arshdep Singh got him caught out by Prince. Zadran made 21 off 31 balls.
Sediqullah Atal and Rahmat Shah added 57 runs for the third wicket before Washington Sundar broke their partnership. Atal made a promising 42 off 50 balls.
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Darwish Rasooli came next to bat but was forced to retire hurt after experiencing some cramps. Earlier, he encountered some cramps while fielding and had to be sent out of the field on a stretcher.
Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi started with a boundary, but Brar bowled him on the very next delivery to send him back to the pavilion.
Prince got his maiden international wicket in the 31st over when he dismissed Nangeyalia Kharote. Rashid Khan contributed 12 runs before Arshdeep dismissed him.
Rahmat Shah kept fighting from one end and delayed the win of the Men in Blue.
He made 79 runs off 89 balls and made a few small partnerships with the tailenders, but Prince Yadav got his wicket in the 45th over to bundle them out for 232 runs. India won the match by 170 runs.
Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar shared three wickets each, whereas Prince got a couple of wickets. Sundar also got one wicket in the match.
Earlier, it was all about Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan, who scored big centuries which helped India post a 400-plus total on the board.
(With inputs from ANI)