Sanju Samson was watchful yet again at the start, just as he was in the second T20I, but eventually opened arms and took every opportunity to increase India’s scoring rate, with the duo adding 100 runs off the powerplay, a team-best for India.
Samson eventually fell for 50 of his own, his second-consecutive fifty in the format, but Afghanistan managed to contain India’s batting after the duo had departed. From 164/2 at the 13 over mark, the team managed to add only 57 runs over the next seven overs.
Azmatullah Omarzai was the standout bowler with his 2/27, while India were also dented by three run-outs.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran showed initiative in the chase, adding 31 runs in three overs, but Axar Patel’s double-strike in the fourth over gave the control back to India.
Bumrah struck in the fifth over, while Yash Thakur struck in the sixth to further trouble Afghanistan.
As the asking rate mounted, Afghanistan batters lost their way. Nitish Kumar Reddy ran through the lower-order to all but end Afghanistan’s hope, picking three wickets in a space of five balls in the 12th over.
Afghanistan were eventually bowled out in the 15th over.
Ravi Bishnoi finished at 3/26, whereas Nitish Kumar had picked 3/25.
The two sides will now travel to Japan to feature in the men’s cricket tournament of the Asian Games. Prior to the tournament, India will feature in a historic one-off T20I against Japan on September 22.