AFG vs WI, 2nd T20I: Karim Janat Maiden 5-fer Powers Afghanistan To 41-run Win, Level Series

Karim Janat's maiden 5-wicket haul helped Afghanistan beat West Indies by 41 runs in the 2nd T2OI to level the 3-match series 1-1 in Lucknow on Saturday.

Afghanistan defeated West Indies by 41 runs in the second T20 international played at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow and level the 3-match series 1-1 on Saturday. Afghanistan's win came on the back of a stellar bowling spell by seamer Karim Janat, who took his maiden five wicket haul in T20Is and returned with match winning figures of 5 for 11, the best by any bowler against the Windies in T20 internationals. After setting a 148-target for the Windies to win, Afghanistan restricted the 'Maroon Brigade' to 106-8 in their 20 overs. West Indies struggled in their chase from ball one as Afghan bowlers kept on making inroads into their batting order with regular strikes. After Naveen-ul-Haq clean bowled Brandon King, Karim Janat wrecked through the Windies batting order dismissing Shimron Hetmyer, Evin Lewis, Sherfane Rutherford, and Kieron Pollard in quick succession. Rashid Khan outfoxed Jason Holder with a beautiful delivery while Naib scalped Haydon Walsh. Batting first, Afghanistan posted 147-7 on the board courtesy some handy knocks Hazratullah Zazai,Karim Janat and Najibullah Zadran. The Afghan innings never quite going as they kept on losing wickets and lost wickets at regular intervals. Pacer Kesrick Williams was once again impressive with his opening burst picking up both openers. Seamer Jason Holder got into the act by sending Karim Janat and Asghar Afghan back to the pavilion. Gulbadin Naib played a 24-run cameo off just 18 balls to help the Afghans reach a respectable score. Kesrick Williams was the pick up the West Indies bowlers returning with figures of 3 for 23. Meanwhile, Jason Holder, Keemo Paul and took two wickets each.