Nicholas Pooran, West Indies’ cricketer, was just two runs short of scoring his maiden T20 World Cup hundred during a match against Afghanistan at Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St. Lucia. The West Indies team scored an impressive 218-5 after being put in to bat, with Pooran smashing 98 runs off 53 balls. Afghanistan, on the other hand, struggled to recover from the loss of their early wickets and was bundled out for 114 runs, giving West Indies a comfortable win by 104 runs. Seamer Obed McCoy was the star performer for West Indies, taking 3-14 in his first match of the tournament.
The Super Eights phase of the competition is set to begin on Wednesday following West Indies and Afghanistan’s impressive performance in the group stage. Pooran’s exceptional innings, which included six fours and eight sixes, took him past the milestone of 2,000 T20I runs. Paired with local hero Johnson Charles, Pooran played aggressively to lift the team to 92-1 by the sixth over, achieving the highest total in the Powerplay overs in the history of T20 World Cup. Azmatullah Omarzai, the Afghan seamer, was taken to the cleaners during that period of relentless hitting, conceding 36 runs in one over.
Despite their efforts to restrict the West Indies below 220, Afghanistan faced a tough challenge in chasing the huge target. Captain Rashid Khan acknowledged the team’s struggle in the match, especially after conceding over 90 runs in the Powerplay overs. However, he viewed it as a learning opportunity for the team to understand the mindset and strategy needed in such situations. On the other hand, West Indies skipper Rovman Powell credited the team’s success to their hard work and dedication over the past year, emphasizing the importance of playing good cricket and continual improvement.
Powell mentioned that the team was well-prepared for the batting-friendly conditions in St. Lucia, which contributed to their impressive performance. With a winning streak of eight matches, the West Indies team has shown that their success is not a fluke but a result of the team’s commitment and effort. The victory against Afghanistan further solidified their position as one of the top contenders in the T20 World Cup. As the competition progresses into the Super Eights stage, West Indies will look to build on their momentum and continue their winning streak against tougher opposition.
