Windies end five-year ODI series winless streak, beat Afghanistan
Former world champions Windies ended their five-year series winless streak in ODIs, as they beat Afghanistan in the second ODI of the ongoing three-match series. West Indies won by 47 runs in Lucknow to take a 2-0 lead in the series. Earlier, they had won the opening ODI by seven wickets. Here is how the match unfolded.
Afghanistan elect to field citing dew concerns
It was Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan who won the toss and elected to field first, citing dew concerns during the second innings, under lights. They made a change in the form of Sharafuddin Ashraf, coming in for Gulbadin Naib, while Windies fielded an unchanged XI.
Windies openers off to commendable start, as they finish 247/9
While the hosts put the visitors to bat first, the latter were off to a fine start, as the openers, Shai Hope (43) and Evin Lewis (54), put up a 98-run opening stand. It was followed by another splendid innings from wicket-keeper batsman Nicholas Pooran (67), as they finished 247/9. For the hosts, medium-pacer Naveen-ul-Haq was their star, claiming 3/60.
The Cottrell-Chase-Walsh show dismantles Afghan batsmen
In reply, the Afghan top-order did manage to get off to a moderate start, but could not cope up with the pressure. While middle-order batsman Najibullah Zadran played a fine knock of 56 to give the hosts some hope, it was pacer Sheldon Cottrell, along with spinners Roston Chase and Hayden Walsh, who claimed three wickets each to bundle them for 200.
Windies win first ODI series since August 2014
As a result of this series win, Windies have managed to end their five-year wait, as their last ODI series win came back in August 2014, when they beat Bangladesh at home 3-0. During this period, Windies have lost 13 series and drew a couple, while they also played six tournaments without any success.
21 series since for a win
First ODI series win for West Indies since Aug 2014 (21 series since then without a win including two WCs a WC qualifier)
— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) November 9, 2019
Among the current squad, only captain Kieron Pollard ex-captain Jason Holder had made their debut when they last won an ODI series.#AFGvWI
Match over-shadowed by swarm of insects and moths
One of the notable observations during the match in Lucknow was that it was overshadowed by a swarm of insects and moths, that had engulfed the floodlights at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. "I've never played with so many flies around. Health is very important, so something's got to be done about that," said Windies skipper Kieron Pollard.
Pollard in celebration mode following series win
"I want to go back inside and celebrate with the guys. Winning is a habit and we need to enjoy ourselves, but we will be playing to win again the day after tomorrow," said Pollard post match, following the series win.
