Shubman Gill's 126 Fires India 1st to Victory
India 1st have won by 501 runs. India 1st batted first and posted 564/8 in 127 overs. Afghanistan 1st, chasing 565, fell short at 63/3 in 20.5 overs.
Shubman Gill was the standout in the first innings, scoring 126 off 177 balls (SR 71). 1 six and 15 fours provided the impetus. The powerplay yielded 19 runs — early wickets put them under pressure from the start.
Sediqullah Atal fought hard with 17 off 27 balls, but it was not enough to haul Afghanistan 1st over the line. The required rate climbed too steeply in the end.
With the ball, Mohammad Saleem Safi delivered figures of 6/140 in 27 overs (Econ 5.2). A match-defining spell that tore through the batting order.
With the series level at 0-0, the next match promises to be an absolute cracker.
The Turning Point
Over 68 of the first innings was the inflection point — 19 runs came off it, shifting the momentum and setting the stage for a total that ultimately proved too much.
Key Performers
126 off 177 balls (SR 71), 15 fours, 1 sixes
6/140 in 27 overs (Econ: 5.19)
100 off 165 balls (SR 61), 11 fours, 0 sixes
Verdict
India 1st showed composure when it mattered most and deserve this victory. Afghanistan 1st were outplayed in all departments. A 501 runs defeat lays bare the gaps in their game — the batting lacked application and the bowling had no answers. Plenty of hard conversations ahead of the next match. With the series level at 0-0, the next match promises to be an absolute cracker.