Hope struck three boundaries during his unbeaten knock of 48

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan gave the West Indies a major scare once again, but Shai Hope’s unbeaten 48 was enough to secure a four-wicket win in St Lucia and level the series at 1-1.

Choosing to bat first, Afghanistan were in trouble right from the get-go as captain Jason Holder, Shannon Gabriel and Alzarri Joseph carved through their top and middle order with ease.

With Roston Chase and Ashley Nurse adding to Afghanistan’s woes later on, the tourists were in all sorts of trouble.

However, Gulbadin Naib fought back brilliantly as his knock of 51, which came off 73 balls and included two boundaries and two sixes, helped Afghanistan reach 135 before they were bowled out.

Holder, Gabriel, Joseph and Nurse picked up two wickets apiece, while Chase chipped in with one.

Chasing 136 to win, the West Indies made a solid start to their innings as openers Evin Lewis and Kieran Powell amassed a 40-run partnership.

But, once Powell was dismissed for 12 and Lewis was given out lbw off the bowling of Rashid for 33, the West Indies began to collapse.

Going from 55/2 to 98/5, the West Indies were teetering, but Hope kept the innings together and helped the hosts creep ever closer to victory.

Despite losing Rovman Powell along the way, Hope scored an unbeaten 48 off 77 balls, which included three boundaries, to carry the West Indies across the finish line with 64 balls to spare.

Rashid was the most successful bowler with three wickets, while Naib took two and Mohammad Nabi claimed one.

Hope was named Man of the Match.