Shahidi hits ton but India bowl out Afghanistan for 218
CHENNAI: Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi hit his first ODI century but India bowled out Afghanistan for 218 as the hosts look to sweep the series in the third one-day international on Saturday. Seam bowler Prasidh Krishna took the first four wickets and returned figures of 5-23 as Afghanistan slumped to 36-4 before skipper Shahidi hit 102 to lift the total in Chennai. Shahidi put on 105 for the fifth wicket with Azmatullah Omarzai, who made 50, in a standout partnership after Afghanistan elected to bat first. Shahidi suffered cramps in hot and humid Chennai and limped toward the back end of his innings but reached his hundred with a four off Washington Sundar. India, who clinched the series with an unbeatable 2-0 lead, dominated through Krishna’s opening spell of 4-6 in his five overs including two maidens. Krishna sent back Rahmanullah Gurbaz (5), Rahmat Shah (5) and Ibrahim Zadran (11), all three batters caught by Rohit Sharma. Darwish Rasooli was next out for one before Shahidi and Omarzai put up a rescue act in their century stand to thwart the Indian attack. It was only temporary, though, as Prince Yadav broke through to dismiss Omarzai after the batters’ ninth ODI half-century. Mohammad Nabi made 21 in another stand with Shahidi before wickets tumbled and Shahidi, soon after his ton, fell to Krishna as the last wicket and the innings folded in 44.2 overs. It was Krishna’s maiden five-wicket haul in 50-overs format.