How Many Times Have Afghanistan Chased 200-Plus Total In T20Is?

Afghanistan need to chase down their highest T20I total to beat India [Source: AFP]For the first time in the T20I series, Afghanistan won the toss, and their decision to bowl first backfired instantly as the Indian opener, Abhishek Sharma, made them pay with some breathtaking shots. On an Arun Jaitley Stadium wicket that had nothing for the bowlers, Abhishek’s carnage put the Afghans on the back foot.Barring Rashid Khan, who troubled the Indian batters a bit, the others lacked a cutting edge, as almost everyone conceded plenty of runs in the series finale.Abhishek Sharma slams fastest T20I century by an Indian to punish AfghanistanEven before the third T20I, Abhishek had produced two outstanding knocks in the T20I series against Afghanistan, with scores of 82 and 39. Hence, he was once again expected to deliver the goods, and the southpaw did just that.Opening the batting alongside Sanju Samson, Abhishek took the aggressive route and punished the Afghanistan bowlers to complete his third T20I century. He reached the landmark in just 30 balls, and in the process, broke several records.He scored the fastest T20I century (from a full-member nation), and it was also the fastest hundred registered by an Indian in this format.This knock propelled India to 221 runs while batting first and set a daunting task in front of the Afghan side.How many times have Afghanistan chased in excess of 200 in T20Is?In a surprising turn of events, Afghanistan has never chased down a total in excess of 200 in T20Is. Their highest successful run-chase in this format has been 191/5 against Zimbabwe, which came all the way back in 2015 in Bulawayo.Also Read: Sanju Samson Joins Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli In Elite 9000-Run T20 ClubHence, to beat India in the third T20I and get a morale win, the Afghanistan side has to bat out of their skins and have to chase down their highest total in this format.Afghanistan's highest run-chases in T20Is191/5 vs Zimbabwe (2015)183/5 vs UAE (2016)171/4 vs Ireland (2017)168/2 vs UAE (2015)168/7 vs Oman (2016)However, one thing works in Afghanistan’s favour: The pitch is conducive for the batters, and the conditions will improve as the game progresses. The team still needs a fiery start from their openers.What went wrong for Afghanistan in 3rd T20I?Almost everything went wrong for the home team (Afghanistan) in the ongoing 3rd T20I against India. After winning the toss, the team decided to bowl first, but the lines and lengths were all wrong from the opening bowlers.Azmatullah Omarzai and, to some extent, Rashid were impressive, but collectively, their bowling lacked the X-factor to trouble the Indian opening batters. Also, there were no slower balls, no change-of-pace deliveries, which would have surprised the batters.Instead, the Indian batters, mainly Abhishek and Samson, were fed pace-on deliveries, and it made their life easier as they just had to connect with the ball, and the shorter boundaries helped them clear the ropes with utmost ease.Also Read: Abhishek Sharma Rewrites Fastest T20I Century Record At Arun Jaitley Stadium