Sunil Narine picked up three wickets as Afghanistan suffered a six-wicket loss to West Indies in the first Twenty20 International in St.Kitts on June 2, 2017. This ended Afghanistan’s 10-match winning streak. Photo: Getty Images

Marlon N. Samuels struck a fluent 35 to lead the West Indies to victory against Afghanistan with almost four overs to spare. Photo: Provided

Having missed out on the meeting with the Afghans at last year’s World T20 due to issues with his bowling action, the off-spinner was at his unplayable best in taking three for 11 off his allotted four-overs as the visitors were dismissed for 110 batting first.

Marlon N. Samuels then struck a fluent 35 to lead the home side’s romp to victory with almost four overs to spare to take a 1-0 lead ahead of the second match at the same venue on Saturday.

"Getting back into action in West Indies colours is always an enjoyable thing," said Narine after receiving the "Man of the Match" award.

"I am always trying different things with my bowling and tonight they came off pretty well."

‘We did what was required’- Brathwaite

Afghanistan’s top order, including captain Asghar Stanikzai who had chosen to bat first, showed little responsibility at the crease and a succession of reckless shots saw them slipping to 58 for eight in the 14th over and in danger of falling below their previous lowest T20 International score of 72.

However Rashid Khan, with a T20 best of 33, and 21 from fellow spinner Amir Hamza gave the innings a measure of respectability as 52 runs were added by the last two wickets.

Khan and Hamza then hinted at what might have been possible with a more competitive total as the two specialist spinners proved more than a handful for Samuels and the other frontline West Indies batsmen.

Fast-medium bowler Shapoor Zadran claimed two expensive wickets but it was the guile and variations of the slow bowlers which presented the greatest challenge although they did not enjoy much reward, Khan dismissing Lendl Simmons just before victory was achieved.

"It’s always important to start with a win and we did what was required," said West Indies captain Carlos R. Brathwaite. "Their tail held us up a bit and I thought we lost too many wickets, but generally it was a satisfying effort."

West Indies went into the match without experienced all-rounder Kieron Pollard, who is sidelined with the flu. Uncapped fast bowler Ronsford Beaton was the other player omitted from the squad of 13.

Afghanistan retained the same 11 which defeated a Cricket West Indies President’s XI in a warm-up match at the same venue two days earlier.