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Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma launched a stunning attack on Mohammad Nabi as India smashed 26 runs in the sixth over against Afghanistan in the ongoing second T20I in Delhi. Earlier, Axar Patel pulls off sensational catch to dismiss Rashid Khan in 2nd T20I.
After failing to make an impact in the three-match T20I series opener, Samson made the stunning comeback in the second T20I against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Tuesday, September 15. However, Abhishek had already played a match-winning knock (82) in the first T20I.
Sanju Samson unleashes carnage after slow start against Afghanistan
Abhishek Sharma was ready to play attacking cricket from the start, as the Indian opener had already smacked three sixes in the first two overs, but Sanju Samson made a cautious start before shifting the gear against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Before the breathtaking carnage against the senior all-rounder Mohammed Nabi, Samson was in full attacking mode against Azmatullah Omarzai. The Kerala star first smashed a six over the fine leg with a powerful flick off his hips. On the next ball, Samson hit a four-over cover.
The Indian wicketkeeper-batter then took a single to bring up a 50-run opening partnership with Abhishek Sharma in just 28 balls. Abhishek then got a single. The fifth over of India’s chase ended in a lucky way. Samson hit the ball straight back towards the non-striker’s end.
It hit the stumps and then raced away past the mid-on fielder for four runs. And then began the real carnage in the 6th over as the Men in Blue were chasing 160 runs to win the second game and seal the T20I series against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma smash Mohammad Nabi for 26 runs
Well, Abhishek started the destruction by sending a short delivery from Nabi soaring over long-on for a massive 93-meter six. The Indian opener then took a single, giving Samson the strike. Samson then went after Nabi, smashing a six over deep mid-wicket before hitting back-to-back boundaries.
He then went even bigger, slog-sweeping Nabi over deep mid-wicket for another six to finish the over in a style. The Indian openers’ attack in the 6th over produced 6, 1, 6, 4, 4, 6, leaving Afghanistan under huge pressure. India raced to 82/0 at the end of the powerplay. Amid this, Jasprit Bumrah achieves unique T20I milestone with maiden over against Afghanistan.
Rashid Khan strikes twice as Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson back in the hut
Meanwhile, Afghanistan finally got a much-needed breakthrough as Rashid Khan dismissed dangerous Abhishek in the very next over. The left-hander once again tried to attack Rashid after smashing a stunning six, but the ball stayed low after pitching and made it difficult to time the shot.
He only managed to get the shoulder of his bat on it, sending the ball towards mid-wicket. Sediqullah Atal was perfectly placed and took a clean catch to end Abhishek’s explosive innings. The left-hander scored 39 runs off 19 balls, including two fours and four sixes.
Soon after, in the same over, Rashid struck again in as he dismissed Samson for 57 off just 22 balls, smashing seven fours and four sixes. Samson tried to play a lofted drive after Rashid bowled the ball slightly wider. He hit it flat towards long-off, but Nabi was perfectly placed and took a fine catch just in front of the boundary rope.
