All-rounder Shivam Dube hit an unbeaten half-century and took one wicket to guide India to a snug win over Afghanistan within the first Twenty20 Worldwide on Thursday.
Dube, a left-hand batter, made 60 off 40 balls for his second T20 fifty as India chased down their victory goal of 159 with 15 balls and 6 wickets to spare at Mohali.
India lead the three-match collection 1-0 as they put together for the T20 World Cup in June.
India’s bowlers led by spinner Axar Patel restricted Afghanistan to 158-5 regardless of an attacking 42 by Mohammad Nabi on a cold winter night.
Axar and quick bowler Mukesh Kumar took two wickets every whereas Dube returned figures of 1-9 from his two overs of medium-pace bowling.
But it surely was his batting that made the distinction as he steered the chase with key partnerships together with a 45-run stand with Jitesh Sharma, who made 31, and an unbeaten 42 with Rinku Singh, 16 not out.
Dube received the match with a six and 4.
Rohit Sharma returned to guide India after over a yr’s absence within the T20 format and elected to discipline first.
Afghanistan skipper Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz placed on 50 for the opening wicket earlier than the Indian bowlers hit again with Axar returning figures of 2-23.
Axar, a left-arm spinner, had Gurbaz stumped for 23 and Zadran fell to Dube, who had earlier dropped the skipper on one, on 25.
Rahmat Shah had a forgettable debut after he was bowled by Axar for 3 however Nabi got here in to regular the innings after which launch an assault with Omarzai.
Kumar reduce brief Omarzai’s innings on 29. Nabi smashed three sixes and two fours in his 27-ball knock earlier than falling to Kumar.
India’s Virat Kohli missed the sport as a result of “private causes” whereas Afghanistan spin king Rashid Khan stays out of the collection as he recovers from a again surgical procedure.
The second match is in Indore on Sunday.
