Shivam Dube: Afghanistan a tough team when it comes to T20Is

Afghanistan may not be among the top international sides in the world, but Indian all-rounder Shivam Dube stated that they are a tough team when it comes to T20Is. The Team India cricketer pointed out that Afghanistan players have been part of various T20 leagues across the globe, which has led to massive improvement in their game.

Afghanistan went down to India by six wickets in the first T20I in Mohali, but not before putting up a fight. Before that, they had a memorable ODI World Cup campaign last year, defeating England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands.

India and Afghanistan will meet in the second T20I at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Sunday, January 14. Speaking ahead of the game, Dube had some words of praise for the opposition.

"Afghanistan is a tough team when it comes to T20Is as all of its players play in (domestic T20) leagues. It's a good opportunity for the side to express itself in front of a top team (like India), and it has been doing well,” the 30-year-old was quoted as saying by PTI.

"Afghanistan was not a top side in international cricket a few years back. But, thanks to these leagues its players have come out on top nowadays," he went on to add.

Batting first in the opening T20I against India in Mohali, Afghanistan posted 158/5. Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi top-scored with 42 off 27 balls, while Azmatullah Omarzai contributed 29 off 22. With the ball, off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman picked up 2/21 in his four overs.

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“Team that bowls well is likely to emerge victorious” - Dube on Indore T20I

The surface at the Holkar Stadium in Indore is considered to be a batting-friendly one. The average score while batting first at the venue is 200-plus. Dube predicted that the team that bowls better is likely to win the contest in Indore.

"It's a batting-friendly wicket. So, it would be tough for the bowlers. But, the team that bowls well on this track is likely to emerge victorious,” he said.

After the second T20I in Indore, India and Afghanistan will meet in the final match of the series at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday, January 17.