By Neto Baptiste
West Indies slumped to a second straight defeat in their T20 International series against Afghanistan, crashing to a 39-runs defeat in Dubai on Wednesday.
The loss comes just two days after their 38-runs loss to the hosts on Monday.
Chasing 190 for victory after Afghanistan posted 189 for four in their 20 overs, West Indies got off to a rocky start, losing their first three wickets for 38 runs with Alick Athanaze (8), Evin Lewis (13) and Johnson Charles (0) falling in quick succession as the visitors posted 150 all out.
A 68-runs partnership between Captain Brandon King who made 50 off 41 deliveries and Shimron Hetmyer with 46 from 17, helped breathe some life back into the Windes chase before Hetmyer fell with the score at 106.
King went shortly after, caught by Darwish Rasooli off the bowling of Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the 16th over. From there, it was all downhill with Quintin Sampson (2), Matthew Forde (6), Khary Pierre (11), Shamar Joseph (0) and Ramon Simmons (1), all failing to make an impact with the bat. Gudakesh Motie was not out on 11.
Rahman, with four for 21 in four overs, was the pick of the bowlers for Afghanistan.
Earlier, the host were led by Darwish Rasooli with 68 from 39 balls, inclusive of five fours and three sixes. He had help from Sediqullah Atal who made 53 off 42 balls. Forde was the pick of the bowlers for West Indies with two wickets for 25 runs in four overs.
The result means Afghanistan takes an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-matches series. The third and final match is slated for January 22.
