Hope to the rescue as Windies survive Afghan scare

Afghanistan

West Indies survived a batting collapse to prevail by four wickets against Afghanistan in St Lucia to level the three-match ODI series at one-all with a game still remaining.

Chasing a relatively low total of 136, the Windies got off to a solid enough start as openers Evin Lewis (33) and Kieran Powell (12) put on 40 for the first wicket inside seen overs.

However, wickets started to tumble after that as Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan, who took seven wickets in the first match, once again weaved his magic.

Rashid finished with figures of 3/26 off his 10 overs while seamer Gulbadin Naib took 2/15 from five overs but it wasn’t enough for the visitors.

Shai Hope, who batted at number three for the hosts, was named man of match as he struck a vital unbeaten 48 to steer to his side over the line in the 40th over.

Earlier, Afghanistan imploded in their batting effort as they were bowled out for paltry 135 in the 38th over.

The Asian side found themselves in dire straits at 51/6 and never recovered, although Naib (51) did score a stubborn half-century batting at number eight.

Seamer Alzarri Joseph was the pick of a disciplined Windies bowling effort as he returned figures of 2/16 in six overs.

Ashley Nurse, captain Jason Holder and Shannon Gabriel also picked up two wickets apiece.

The third and deciding ODI also takes place in St Lucia on Wednesday.

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