Rashid spins Afghanistan to ODI victory over Windies

KABUL defeated the West Indies in their opening One-Day International (ODI) match by 63 runs, thanks to Rashid Khan’s seven wickets haul.

Khan took seven wickets for 18 runs, recording the fourth best haul in ODI history after his side won the toss and opted to bat in St Lucia on Friday.

While batting, Afghanistan made a slow start before opener Javed Ahmadi recorded his highest ODI score – 81 runs, hitting eight fours and two sixes to help Afghanistan reach 131-4.

Samiullah Shenwari contributed 22 runs, Mohammad Nabi 27 (not out) and Gulbadin Naib 41 (not out), taking the total to 212-6.

In response, the Windies lost wickets in quick succession and were dismissed for 149 runs in the 45th over, with Rashid taking centre stage.

The victory follows a 3-0 series whitewash the touring Afghans suffered against West Indies in their Twenty20 series at Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium.

ma/mud