Rahmanullah Gurbaz's career-best knock of 79 formed the core of Afghanistan's come-from-behind series win as they handed West Indies a 29-run defeat in the third and final T20I in Lucknow on Sunday (November 17). The wicketkeeper-batsman smacked five sixes and half a dozen boundaries in his 52-ball effort that gave Afghanistan a healthy 156/8 – their best score of the series – before a collective, disciplined effort from the bowlers restricted the visitors to just 127/7 in reply despite Shai Hope's uncharacteristically breezy half-century.
On the same track at the Ekana Stadium where West Indies had faltered to get 147 just the night before, Afghanistan had already raised the stakes by setting them a target of 157 this time. To make matters worse, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman shattered the stumps of Lendl Simmons on the first ball of the third over with a googly, shortly after which Naveen-ul-Haq got the better of Brandon King again, with a delivery exactly similar to the off-cutter he got him out with in Game 2, as West Indies slipped to 16 for 2 in the fourth over.
Evin Lewis, with his three boundaries, drove West Indies forward and put on a brief partnership with Hope that steadied the chase before Karim Janat trapped him lbw on 24 off 23. Hope upped the ante from there on, but West Indies had already fallen behind the eight ball. Dropped on 11, he survived a runout chance too in his 43-ball fifty en route which he added 38 runs with Shimron Hetmyer and another 32 with Kieron Pollard. However, as the two more destructive batsmen failed to get going, West Indies' asking rate shot up to 10 and beyond in no time. The pair made 11 each, leaving half-centurion Hope and the tail with a tough ask of 45 required in under three overs.
Well set, Hope decided to take matters into his own hands but muscled one straight to Asghar Afghan at extra cover who reverse-cupped the easy catch to all but seal the fate of the game. West Indies, from 118/6 at the start of their penultimate over, crawled to 127/7 only to delay the inevitable.
Earlier, Afghanistan elected to bat first in the series decider, backing their strengths to defend any total. However, Sheldon Cottrell inflicted early damage with two wickets in quick succession in his opening spell to send back Hazratullah Zazai (0) and, the previous night's hero, Karim Janat (2) by the end of the 3rd over.
Gurbaz hit back on behalf of the home team, striking aggressively despite the damage at the other end. Of the 32 Afghanistan managed in the six overs of powerplay, Gurbaz had accounted for 26 that included two hits to the fence and two over it. Pollard introduced Khary Pierre into the attack straight after the powerplay, and Gurbaz, after a brace off the first ball, launched the left-arm spinner deep into the stands at long-on, making his intentions rather clear.
The only time Gurbaz ever put a foot wrong was when he sold Ibrahimm Zadran down the river, retracting his steps after calling for a single, resulting in a tame run out of the latter against the run of play, in the eighth over.
Former skipper Asghar Afghan played second fiddle for the first 40 runs of his 50-run partnership with Gurbaz, before deciding to switch gears. It almost backfired as he tried to heave one over deep mid-wicket fence and nearly popped a catch to the fielder, only for Brandon King to shell a regulation catch on the ropes. Afghan then brought up the half-century of the fourth wicket partnership as he muscled a poor full toss from Keemo Paul on the leg-stump over long leg fence. However, Paul and King both redeemed themselves in the same over, combining again to put an end to Afghan's fireworks and the threatening partnership.
Gurbaz, unaffected yet again, fetched two sixes and as many boundaries more before Pollard got to him with a slower one. Batting on 79 – already having surpassed his previous best in T20Is – Gurbaz attempted to upper cut the short ball outside off, only to pop a sitter to the man at sweeper cover.
Najibullah first, and then Nabi took over the role of aggressors once Gurbaz departed, and even without scoring a lot, ensured that Afghanistan ended up with a total healthy enough for it's strong arm to defend comfortably.

With the series already in the pocket, India women continued their domination over the West Indies women by notching up a five-run win in the rain-truncated fourth T20 International at the Providence Stadium, Guyana on Sunday.
The hosts needed 13 off the final over but spinner Anuja Patil kept it really tight and gave away just 7 runs to help India win a thriller.
Courtesy the win, India women now lead the five-match series 4-0.
In the rain-marred fourth T20 International which was reduced to a nine-over-a-side affair, India women made 50 for the loss of seven wickets after being sent into bat. Pooja Vastrakar (10) was the lone Indian to reach double-digit score. Hayley Mathews (3/13) scalped three wickets for the hosts, while Afy Fletcher (2/2) and Sheneta Grimmond (2/10) picked up two wickets apiece.
The Indians then bowled and fielded with the discipline to restrict the West Indies women to 45 for five in their nine overs.
India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur completely relied on her spinners and they did not disappoint her as off-spinner Anuja Patil (2/8), Deepti Sharma (1/8) and Radha Yadav (1/8) kept the Windies on a tight leash throughout to ensure the win.

Pakistan will play a Test at home for the first time since 2009 after announcing a two-match series against Sri Lanka in December.
There has not been a Test in Pakistan since the Sri Lanka team bus was attacked in Lahore 10 years ago.
Six Pakistani policemen and two civilians were killed in the attack, while a number of the Sri Lanka team were wounded.
The two matches will form part of the World Test Championship.
The first Test will be in Rawalpindi from 11-15 December, while the second will be in Karachi from 19-23 December.
"This is fabulous news for Pakistan and its reputation of being as safe and secure as any other country in the world," said Zakir Khan, the Pakistan Cricket Board's director of international cricket.
"We are thankful to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for agreeing to send their team for the longer version of the game, which will contribute significantly in the PCB's efforts and drive for regular resumption of international cricket."
Pakistan started playing the majority of their 'home' internationals in the United Arab Emirates after the 2009 attack.
In 2015, they hosted Zimbabwe in Pakistan and played three one-day internationals as well as two Twenty20 internationals in a series that was overshadowed by a suicide bombing outside the Lahore stadium.
Sri Lanka played three ODIs and three T20 matches there in September and October, although some of their main players chose not to take part.
"We are pleased to confirm our return visit to Pakistan as, based on our earlier visit, we are comfortable and convinced conditions are suitable and conducive for Test cricket," said SLC chief executive Ashley de Silva.
PCB managing director Wasim Khan told BBC Asian Network that teams who visit Pakistan will receive "state-like security".
He added England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Tom Harrison had been to the country recently and hopes England will visit in 2022, as scheduled.
"I've been saying for a long time that Pakistan is safe," he said. "Cricket is thriving here. It's a young community now in Pakistan and everybody wants to see cricket back.
"We're hoping that the restrictions will start to reduce in terms of what countries are demanding around security."
He added: "For us, this is now about starting to lay the foundations for England to come back and play Test cricket here in 2022.
"We've invited South Africa to play a T20 series at the end of March. We are very hopeful that will come through.
"We are also at advanced stages with the MCC to come and tour Pakistan, which we are planning for in February before the Pakistan Super League starts. Things are starting to move in the right direction for us."
Warwickshire sport director Paul Farbrace, the former Sri Lanka assistant coach, was on the team bus during the attack.
"I've spoken to quite a few players who have been back to Pakistan. I would definitely go back," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"The thought of sport going back and cricket going back to Pakistan is vital for young kids growing up in that country."
He added: "I don't think any cricket board will force any player to go. Sri Lanka went there recently and not all of the main players went.
"It will take a little bit of time for teams to start to go to Pakistan. The players will do the selling; they will come back and say 'it's fantastic, you have to go there as there is no issue'."

Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami took four wickets as his country crushed Bangladesh by an inning and 130 runs inside three days of the opening Test on Saturday.
Bangladesh were bowled out for 213 in the final session in Indore after their gamble to bat first after winning the toss backfired badly against the Indian pace attack.
Shami's fellow fast bowlers Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma shared three wickets between them after India declared their first innings on 493 for six, with a lead of 343 runs.
“The captain gave me the freedom to bowl the way I wanted and it went well,” Shami said after the game.
“Having Umesh and Ishant alongside me is a plus.”
Bangladesh batsman Mushfiqur Rahim offered some resistance, hitting 64 after Rohit Sharma dropped him on four off Shami. Mushfiqur scored 43 in Bangladesh's 150 in the first innings and finally became one of three wickets taken by off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin, who reached 250 wickets in home Tests in the first innings, got last man Ebadat Hossain for one to spark India's victory celebrations.
India were dominant with the bat and ball against Bangladesh. Opening batsman Mayank Agarwal played a key part in the win with his 243 – his second double century in four Tests – as India amassed 407 runs on the second day.
The bowlers kept up the pressure when Bangladesh started their second innings.
Yadav drew first blood, taking Imrul Kayes for six on a ball that curved into the left-hander and rattled the leg stump. Ishant Sharma got Shadman Islam for six in the next over. Shami then trapped skipper Mominul Haque lbw for seven.
Mominul was given not out by the on-field umpire but India skipper Virat Kohli successfully reviewed the decision with replays showing the ball would have hit leg stump. Shami, who also took three wickets in the first innings, took Mohammad Mithun for 18.
Bangladesh skipper Mominul said the batting of Mushfiqur and bowling of Abu Jayed had been the only “positives” in the disappointing defeat.
Abu Jayed stood out with his four wickets in the Indian innings but got little support from his teammates.
The second and final match is a day-night clash, with India hosting its first-ever pink-ball Test at Kolkata's Eden Gardens from November 22.

Ruthless opening pair Aaron Finch and David Warner ran riot as Australia routed Pakistan by 10 wickets in Perth to wrap up their Twenty20 series 2-0 on Friday in emphatic fashion.
After restricting the visitors to 106 for eight, Finch (52) and Warner (48) whacked five sixes and eight fours between them as they raced to the finish line without loss.
The home team won in Canberra by seven wickets, thanks to a brilliant 80 not out by Steve Smith, and were on track to also triumph in Sydney only for rain to save the visitors.
Their victory in Perth has them on an impressive eight-game winning streak in the short format as they build towards the T20 World Cup on home soil next year. “Really proud of the boys with the way we applied ourselves in the last couple of weeks. Each time we turn up at training, we are improving ourselves and that is very important,” said captain Finch. “We are growing as a team and hopefully some big things to come.”
In contrast, Pakistan are struggling and have now lost five of their last six. Despite the poor run, which included an embarrassing 3-0 home series defeat to an under-strength Sri Lanka that cost Sarfaraz Ahmed the captaincy, they remain number one in the rankings.
But their cricket chiefs will be worried about the two Tests against Australia to come, starting this month in Brisbane.
“Very disappointed, but we lost to a good team. We have learnt a lot from this series and we'll take the positives and come back hard in the next series,” said skipper Babar Azam. “As captain, I learnt a lot personally too, but there's a long way to go.”
After being sent in to bat at the Perth Arena, Iftikhar Ahmed's 45 was the only resistance by Pakistan in a repeat performance of poor batting against quality bowling, led by Kane Richardson who took three wickets.
On a fast, bouncy pitch, Finch and Warner showed no pity in reply, exposing Pakistan's young and fragile attack.
The explosive Warner hit Mohammad Amir for six in the first over and there was no looking back in a display of power-hitting from the two men.
Pakistan made four changes with Imam ul-Haq and Mohammad Hasnain coming in and debuts handed to batsman Khushdil Shah and bowler Muhammad Musa.
Only Azam and Ahmed have shown signs of life in the batting department this series and, again, no one else stood up.
Azam had hit consecutive 50s in the previous games, but he fell early, out lbw to Mitchell Starc for six.
The Australian fast bowler then smashed the stumps of Mohammad Rizwan next ball with a searing inswinger, leaving Pakistan at 15 for two. Opener ul-Haq, in for out-of-form Fakhar Zaman, didn't fare much better. He hit two boundaries in his 14 before mis-hitting a pull shot off Sean Abbott, playing his first international since 2014, giving Ben McDermott an easy catch.
Haris Sohail again failed, mistiming a shot off spinner Ashton Agar, while Shah lasted 11 balls for his eight runs. Imad Wasim also fell cheaply.
When Ahmed – who scored a quickfire 62 in Canberra – finally went looking for a boundary off Richardson, it was left to the tailenders to at least ensure their team made it to three figures.

Indian cricket chief Sourav Ganguly said on Sunday the five-day cricket ‘needed rejuvenation’ to revive interest in the game’s traditional format.
India’s last series against South Africa witnessed a poor turnout but the tickets for the first three days of the pink ball Test, beginning at Eden Gardens on Friday, have already been sold out.
“That’s the way forward. Test cricket needed a rejuvenation,” said Ganguly, who took the onus to organise the inaugural day/night Test in the country after becoming president of the powerful Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) last month.
“It happens all around the world. Somewhere it had to start. India is the biggest country in terms of cricket. I think that rejuvenation was important,” Ganguly said
As the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president, Ganguly had successfully organised an India-Pakistan marquee World Twenty20 clash in 2016 at a short notice, after it was shifted out of Dharamsala. However, he said organising the day/night Test is more challenging.
“The challenge was to get people back into the ground. An India-Pakistan match would anyways get filled anywhere in the world. You just announce it and the crowd will be filled,” the former India skipper said. “This was much more difficult and we managed to fill 65,000 on each of the first three days. It feels more satisfying.”
Ganguly said India captain Virat Kohli would be happy to see a full house when he walks out to bat against Bangladesh.
“He is a great player and he should be playing in front of packed house. He will be happy to see it full house when he walks out to bat on day one. You will love the atmosphere at the Eden so come and watch,” Ganguly said while unveiling the official pink Test mascots at Eden Gardens. “You can’t have greats of the Indian cricket play in front of empty stands. And here you will have full house for the first three days.”

Fast bowler James Pattinson has left the Australia camp in Brisbane and will return to his home state Victoria in the wake of his one-Test ban for personal abuse of an opponent.
Pattinson was handed the ban when he admitted abusing a Queensland player during a domestic match last week.
He had been vying with Mitchell Starc for the third pace-bowling spot in the Australia side for the first Test against Pakistan, which starts in Brisbane on Thursday.
Cricket Australia (CA) said Pattinson had been given a couple of days' leave to rest with family and would then return to his Victoria base to prepare for the second and final test against Pakistan in Adelaide from November 29.
The decision had been made during a regular meeting of team management late on Sunday and was considered the best course of preparation for the 29-year-old bowler, a CA spokesman said.
The spokesman denied local media reports that said the decision was made for "player welfare" reasons.
Australia have cracked down on bad behaviour by their players since the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in early 2018 that led to one-year bans for then captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner.
Current captain Tim Paine told state radio on Sunday that Pattinson knew he had "let himself down (and) let the group down". His Australia and Victoria team mate Peter Siddle backed Pattinson to regain his place in the Test side.
"It's an emotional game and sometimes you go a bit too far [...] but its because you care," the veteran seamer told local media.
"He's not trying to do anything stupid, he just cares about the team and wants to get results. He's got to miss this Test and that will hurt him."

Jos Buttler hit a century but England were unable to force victory in their final warm-up match against New Zealand A in Whangarei.
Resuming on 88 on day three, Buttler made 110 to help his side post 405 in reply to the hosts' 302-6 declared.
Jofra Archer and Sam Curran took three wickets each to reduce New Zealand A to 129-8, a lead of just 26.
But William Somerville and Ajaz Patel held firm for 22.4 overs to guide their side to 169-8 and ensure the draw.
England face New Zealand in two Tests, with the first match at the Bay Oval in Tauranga starting on Wednesday (today).
"It was really nice for me. Spending that time in the middle going into a Test series is great. It gives you confidence," Buttler told the BBC's Test Match Special.
"It's not a massive coincidence that when I've had time away from cricket and been able to refresh that I play well then.
"New Zealand will be a massive challenge. They are an excellent side and it should be a really exciting series."
Buttler, Ollie Pope (88) and Joe Denly (68) led England's recovery from 105-5 on day two at the Cobham Oval, as the tourists reached 355-8 at the close, a lead of 53.
Wicketkeeper Buttler put on 71 for the ninth wicket with Archer (41 not out) as he brought up his sixth first-class hundred - only his second in the past five years.

Headline News >