Cricket

BASSETERRE — Afghanistan produced their best batting of the series to total 146 for six batting first against the West Indies in the final fixture of the three-match T20 International series at Warner Park in St Kitts on Monday.

Needing victory to avoid a whitewash and to boost their confidence ahead of the One-Day International matches, Mohammad Nabi (38) and Noor Ali Zadran (35) led their effort against a home side that appeared to be lacking in intensity with the series already wrapped up following comfortable wins in the first two matches at the same venue.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Shafiqullah Shafaq chipped in with 25 to ensure the West Indies were left with a challenge in pursuit of a third consecutive victory.

Kesrick Williams was again the most successful of the West Indies bowlers, finishing with three for 34 to lift his wicket tally in the series to eight.

There was a bit of concern though at the end of his spell as he appeared to be suffering the discomfort of a back injury when he bowled Shafiqullah with the final ball of his four-over allotment.

West Indies retained an unchanged 11 in pursuit of a clean sweep of the series before the teams turn their attention to the three ODI’s in St Lucia beginning on Friday.

Afghanistan were a massive disappointment in the first two matches, especially in the batting department, and again made two changes from the previous match.

Javed Ahmadi replaced Samiullah Shenwari in the batting line-up while left-arm seamer Shapoor Zadran returned to the team at the expense of namesake Dawlat. — AFP