Afghanistan 159 for 8 (Ghani 69, Mehran 3-30) beat Oman 132 (Shirzad 3-16, Barakzai 2-22) by 27 runs

Scorecard

Usman Ghani comes down the pitch AFP

Usman Ghani's 69 set up Afghanistan's 27-run win over Oman in the first T20 fixture in Abu Dhabi. Ghani's innings helped Afghanistan post 159 for 8 after they were asked to bat first, following which Afghanistan's bowlers dismissed Oman for 132 in 18.1 overs.

Ghani anchored Afghanistan's innings, striking nine fours and one six, before he was dismissed in the 18th over. Karim Sadiq (26) and Samiullah Shenwari(17) contributed with handy scores in the middle order, after which Gulbadin Naib 8-ball 14 helped Afghanistan cross 150 in the death overs.

Afghanistan's bowlers kept chipping away at the wickets in the chase, reducing Oman to 98 for 7 at the end of the 15th over. Sayed Shirzad was the pick of the bowlers with returns of 3 for 16 in just three overs, while Yamin Ahmadzai, Rokhan Barakzai and Shenwari claimed two wickets apiece. Adnan Ilyas' 34 was the top score for Oman, but it was not enough as Oman struggled to build partnerships from the start.