India secured a much needed 66-run victory against Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup Group 2 match in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Mohammad Nabi’s side, chasing a huge target of 211, managed 144-7 on the scoreboard in their 20 overs.

Karim Janat played an unbeaten knock of 42 from 22 deliveries with the help of three boundaries and two sixes whereas the skipper hit two fours and a six on his way to 32-ball 35.

Pacer Mohammad Shami was the pick of the bowlers with his three-wicket haul whereas Ravichandran Ashwin got two wickets.

Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja both got a wicket as well.

India, being asked to bat first, finished at 210-2 thanks to superb half-centuries by openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. They put on an opening partnership of 140 runs.

Sharma, who was judged player of the match, top-scored with 74 from 47 deliveries with eight fours and three sixes to his name.

Rahul made 48-ball 69 after hitting six boundaries and two maximums.

Gulbadin Naib and Karim Janat bagged a wicket each.

SQUADS

India: 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 KL Rahul, 3 Virat Kohli (capt), 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 Rishabh Pant, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Shardul Thakur, 9 Mohammed Shami, 10 R Ashwin, 11 Jasprit Bumrah

Afghanistan: 1 Hazratullah Zazai, 2 Mohammad Shahzad (wk), 3 Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 4 Najibullah Zadran, 5 Mohammad Nabi (capt.), 6 Sharafuddin Ashraf, 7 Gulbadin Naib, 8 Rashid Khan, 9 Karim Janat, 10 Naveen-ul-Haq, 11 Hamid Hass