Epic Over Win #WT20-Afghanistan Vs West Indies 2016-Historical Highlights ICC Twenty-20 #27 March

Afghanistan was dealt a blow when Hassan had to be taken off the attack earlier after bowling two full-tosses above waist height against Russell. Even with Gulbadin Naib filling in, sheer never-say-die spirit carried Afghanistan through. Sammy was caught on the cover fence while trying to manufacture a boundary and Brathwaite couldn’t connect cleanly enough in Nabi’s final over before his dismissal.

Nabi had given up 15 runs in his first over but ended with 2 for 26 in four, identical figures to Rashid, while there was a wicket a piece for Naib, Hamza and Hassan.

That was the sort of collective effort needed after Samuel Badree’s 3 for 14 had kept Afghanistan tied down. Shahzad had got his customary big hits out, and seemed on course to get the innings off to a flier when he fell for 24, taking on Badree unwisely. Asghar Stanikzai had hit Badree for a six, and tried to repeat that shot to hole out.

With Sulieman Benn also keeping things tight, Afghanistan slipped to 56 for 5 in the 12th over. The most electric moment in the field was possibly Nabi’s dismissal off Russell. Having hit the bowler hard to the covers, Nabi saw Sammy get a hand to the ball and palm it upwards, only for Samuels to complete the catch at mid-off, ending a 34-run stand off 28 balls for the sixth wicket that had revived Afghanistan.

But Afghanistan showed that though down it was far from out, Najibullah marshalling the lower order to add valuable runs. The last three overs brought 30 runs – not earth-shattering, but enough at the time to give the bowlers some hope.

In the end, it turned out to be enough for Afghanistan to script history.