T20 World Cup: India thrash Afghanistan by 66 runs to avoid early exit

India kept their slim hopes of reaching the Men's T20 World Cup semi-finals alive with a crushing 66-run win over Afghanistan.

Facing elimination if they lost a third successive game, India made a stunning statement as Rohit Sharma and Kananur Lokesh (KL) Rahul shared a majestic opening stand of 140 in Abu Dhabi.

Rohit made 74 off 47 balls and Rahul 69 off 48, before Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya sustained the onslaught to carry India to 210-2, the highest score of the tournament.

Afghanistan never looked capable of chasing 211 and their ambition turned to limiting the severity of defeat to protect their superior net run-rate, which determines who progresses if multiple teams finish equal on the same points.

New Zealand will go through if they beat Namibia and Afghanistan, regardless of other results.

But if the Black Caps lose either game, India, who face Scotland and Namibia, will qualify if they win both their games and overhaul Afghanistan and New Zealand's run-rates.

[Source: BBC]