Afghanistan’s pace attack under scrutiny after India seal dominant T20I win
Afghanistan were bowled out in the 15th over after India’s Abhishek Sharma struck a record century, while questions remained over Naveen-ul-Haq’s potential return and the balance of the seam attack.
2026-09-17
Afghanistan’s bowling resources came under examination after India completed a commanding victory in the third T20I, with Abhishek Sharma’s record-breaking hundred setting the tone before Afghanistan were dismissed in the 15th over.
Abhishek reached his century from only 30 balls, the fastest T20I hundred by an Indian batter and the third-fastest recorded in the format. He had already made 82 and 39 in the opening two matches, and continued that strong run by striking 108 before Rashid Khan ended his innings shortly before the halfway point.
Sanju Samson contributed a second successive T20I fifty, and India’s opening pair produced 100 runs during the powerplay. Afghanistan regained some control after the dismissal of both batters, with India moving from 164 for two after 13 overs to add 57 runs across the next seven. Azmatullah Omarzai was Afghanistan’s most successful bowler, taking two wickets for 27 runs, while three Indian batters were run out.
Afghanistan’s chase began positively as Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran added 31 runs in three overs. India then turned the innings around through Axar Patel’s two wickets in the fourth over, followed by strikes from Jasprit Bumrah and Yash Thakur. Nitish Kumar Reddy later claimed three wickets in five balls during the 12th over, effectively ending Afghanistan’s resistance. Ravi Bishnoi also took three wickets, while Nitish finished with three for 25.
The match also kept attention on Afghanistan’s seam combination. Fazalhaq Farooqi was included in the XI but was not used with the new ball, raising the question of whether a return for Naveen-ul-Haq could give the attack greater depth and impact. The available material does not confirm Naveen’s match-fitness status, but his involvement was a key point of interest around the contest.
After this series, India and Afghanistan were scheduled to travel to Japan for the men’s cricket competition at the Asian Games. Afghanistan also has a substantial programme in the United Arab Emirates later in 2026, beginning with a Test against Bangladesh on October 9, followed by an ODI tri-series and limited-overs and Test assignments against Zimbabwe.