Afghanistan lost the second T20 international against India by seven wickets in New Delhi on Tuesday, surrendering the three-match series with one game still to play.
After being asked to bat first at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Afghanistan finished on 159 for eight from their 20 overs. India responded with 163 for three in only 14.5 overs, completing the chase with 31 balls remaining and taking an unassailable 2–0 series lead.
Afghanistan again struggled to establish early momentum against India’s new-ball attack. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed without scoring, while captain Ibrahim Zadran had to work hard for his team-leading 37 from 33 deliveries.
Zadran’s dismissal to Nitish Kumar Reddy triggered a damaging middle-overs slide. Sediqullah Atal and Gulbadin Naib also departed as Afghanistan’s attempts to increase the scoring rate repeatedly resulted in wickets.
Azmatullah Omarzai and Darwish Rasooli offered some resistance, but Afghanistan remained short of the total needed on a favourable batting surface with relatively small boundaries.
Rashid Khan provided the late acceleration, scoring 28 from 16 balls. His innings helped Afghanistan reach 159, only three runs more than their total in the opening match of the series. Mohammad Nabi also contributed 20 during the lower-order recovery.
Reddy was India’s most successful bowler, taking three wickets for 24 runs. Arshdeep Singh claimed two wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah, Ravi Bishnoi and Axar Patel took one each.
India dominated the chase from the powerplay. Abhishek Sharma attacked immediately and struck 39 from 19 deliveries, while Sanju Samson recovered from a measured start to make 57.
The opening pair added 88 runs and powered India to 82 without loss after six overs, leaving Afghanistan with little room to recover.
Rashid dismissed Abhishek and Samson after both batters had taken the attack to Afghanistan’s bowlers. He later removed Shreyas Iyer to finish with all three Indian wickets for 36 runs.
However, Afghanistan’s decision to delay using Rashid and Fazalhaq Farooqi allowed India’s opening partnership to establish control before the leading bowlers could make an impact.
Ishan Kishan remained unbeaten on 38 and completed the chase alongside Tilak Varma.
The defeat leaves Afghanistan with batting intent and bowling-strategy questions before the third and final match. India lead the series 2–0, with the concluding T20I scheduled for September 17.
