India posted a formidable 221 for 7 in 20 overs against Afghanistan in the third and final T20I at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday, powered by a record-breaking century from opener Abhishek Sharma.
Afghanistan won the toss and elected to field first. What followed was a stunning display of power-hitting. Abhishek Sharma raced to fifty in just 16 balls and brought up his hundred in 30 deliveries, surpassing Rohit Sharma’s previous Indian record of 35 balls set against Sri Lanka in 2017. The left-hander finished with 108 off 34 balls, including nine fours and 11 sixes, at a strike rate of 317.64. It was also the fastest T20I century by a batter from a Test-playing nation.
Sanju Samson provided solid support with a composed 50 off 35 balls. The pair put on a blistering opening stand that saw India reach 100 in just six overs. Captain Shreyas Iyer contributed 29 off 20 balls later in the innings as India finished strongly despite losing wickets in the death overs.
India already hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series after two seven-wicket victories. A win here would complete a 3-0 whitewash. Afghanistan now face a stiff chase of 222 under lights in New Delhi.
The second innings is about to begin.
