Thanks to Rakheem Cornwall career best figures, West Indies are in a commanding position against Afghanistan in one-off Test match played at Bharat Ratna Ekana International Stadium, Lucknow on Wednesday.
West Indies captain Jason Holder won the toss and decided to field first. Ibhraim Zadran and Javed Ahmadi got Afghanistan off to a steady start adding 28 runs for the 1st wicket. Rakheem Cornwall got the breakthrough for West Indies dismissing Ibhraim Zadran. Afghan openers added 28 runs for the opening wicket. In the first hour, Afghanistan scored 34 for 1.
Javed Ahmadi and Ihsanullah played with confidence putting pressure on the West Indies bowlers. As things looked dangerous for West Indies, Warrican struck to dismiss Javed Ahmadi for 39. Ahmadi and Ihsanullah added 56 runs for the 2nd wicket. At the stroke of lunch break, Cornwall got his 2nd wicket to dismiss Ihansullah. Afghanistan were 90 for 3 at lunch.
It was a perfect start for West Indies in the 2nd session as Cornwall wreaked havoc as he took wickets of Rahmat Shah and Nasir Jamal put Afghanistan under pressure at 95 for 5. Cornwall picked his 5th wicket dismissing Asghar Afghan cheaply. West Indies captain Jason Holder got the wicket of Rashid Khan cheaply to reduce Afghanistan at 111 for 7. Afsar Zazai and Amir Hamza played with confidence against the West Indies bowlers. Both added 54 runs for the 8th wicket. At the stroke of tea, Cornwall dismissed Zazai for 32. Afghanistan were 165 for 8 at tea.
In the third session, Yamin Ahmadzai played few good shots and scored 18 off 22 balls. Holder produced a beauty to dismiss Hamza for 34. Cornwall dismissed Ahmadzai to bowl out Afghanistan for 187.
West Indies openers Kraigg Braithwaite and John Campbell started off to a positive fashion. Amir Hamza provided the breakthrough dismissing Braithwaite for 11. Both added 27 runs for the opening wicket. Rashid produced a magical delivery to get the wicket of Shai Hope. John Campbell and Shamrah Brooks survived few nervous moments but ended the first day on 68 for 2. Campbell and Brooks have added so far 34 runs for the 3rd wicket.
West Indies 68 for 2 in 22 overs ( John Campbell 30*, Brooks 19*, Rashid Khan 1/24, Amir Hamza 1/25) trail Afghanistan 187 in 68.3 overs ( Javed Ahmadi 39, Amir Hamza 34, Rakheem Cornwall 7/75) by 119 runs.
