All-rounder Shamar Springer produced a match-winning performance including a hat-trick, which helped West Indies avoid a clean sweep against Afghanistan, in the third T20I in Dubai on January 22. Although Afghanistan sealed the series 2-1, Springer helped West Indies defend their total of 152 to secure a 15-run victory.
Batting first, West Indies posted 151/7 in their 20 overs. Captain Brandon King added 47 runs at the top of the order. Johnson Charles (17) and Shimron Hetmyer (13) tried but could not add much to the total. Matthew Forde played a valuable role and added 27 runs, while Springer also chipped in with unbeaten 16 runs to lift the total to a competitive score.
For Afghanistan, Ziaur Rahman, captain Rashid Khan and Abdollah Ahmadzai picked up two wickets each, while Shahidullah also claimed one wicket.
In reply, Afghanistan looked in control as Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashed 71 runs, with Ibrahim Zadran contributing 28. However, once Zadran lost his wicket, the innings collapsed as Springer was brilliant with the ball. He picked up four crucial wickets which broke Afghanistan’s momentum. He also claimed a hat-trick, starting with the dismissal of set batter Gurbaz.
On the next ball, he removed Rashid Khan and completed the hat-trick by dismissing Shahidullah in the 18th over. Matthew Forde, Khary Pierre and Ramon Simmonds also picked up one wicket each, helping West Indies finish the series on a positive note.
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