Abhishek Sharma’s 82 powers India to seven-wicket win over Afghanistan in Delhi

Abhishek Sharma hit seven sixes and seven fours in an 82 off 32 balls as India overhauled Afghanistan’s 156 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium with 38 balls remaining.

India finished on 157/3 in 13.4 overs to win the opening T20I by seven wickets and go 1-0 up in the three-match series. The opener’s rapid half-century put the chase firmly in India’s hands after Afghanistan had been sent in to bat.

Afghanistan were 43/5 before Azmatullah Omarzai rebuilt the innings with an unbeaten 64 from 44 balls. Mohammad Nabi made 33 in a key stand with Omarzai, taking the visitors to 156/8 from 20 overs.

Arshdeep Singh returned 3/19 for India, while Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy took one wicket each. Sanju Samson, back in India’s XI, made 10 from eight balls.

The second T20I is scheduled at the same Delhi venue on September 15.