West Indies
The West Indies cruised past Afghanistan to stay unbeaten in the T20 World Cup, sending a clear message to their rivals. Their performance was spectacular, as they showcased their batting prowess and bowling dominance in Saint Lucia.
A Toss and a Dare
Afghanistan’s captain, Rashid Khan, won the toss and chose to field, hoping for early breakthroughs at the run-happy Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. Little did he know, the West Indies had other plans.
Despite losing Brandon King early for just 7 runs, the Windies quickly turned the tables. Johnson Charles and Nicholas Pooran took charge, with Charles finding his rhythm early and hitting three boundaries in the third over.
Pooran’s Pyrotechnics
The match’s highlight came in the fourth when Nicholas Pooran exploded, scoring 36 runs off Azmatullah Omarzai. Here’s a breakdown of that historic over:
| Ball | Result |
|---|---|
| 1 | 6 |
| 2 | 5NB |
| 3 | 5WD |
| 4 | 0 |
| 5 | 4LB |
| 6 | 4 |
| 7 | 6 |
| 8 | 6 |
This cover was a rare feat in T20 history, making Pooran one of the few to have achieved such a remarkable score in a single over. The partnership between Charles and Pooran brought the Windies to a record-breaking 92/1 by the end of the powerplay.
Powerplay Prowess
The powerplay saw the West Indies set the highest total in Men’s T20 World Cup history. Charles and Pooran’s partnership was crucial, producing 80 runs in just 38 balls. Charles eventually fell for 43, but his aggressive innings laid the foundation for a massive total.
At the end of the powerplay, the West Indies had already surpassed Afghanistan’s highest conceded total in the World Cup, which had been 95 against Papua New Guinea. The Windies were not done yet.
Middle Order Magic
Shai Hope and Rovman Powell kept the momentum going. Hope’s quickfire 25 off 17 balls and Powell’s explosive sixes ensured the Windies maintained a high run rate. Pooran continued his form, reaching his half-century off just 31 balls. Here’s how the innings progressed:
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson Charles | 43 | 27 | 159.26 |
| Nicholas Pooran | 98 | 53 | 184.91 |
| Shai Hope | 25 | 17 | 147.06 |
| Rovman Powell | 26 | 15 | 173.33 |
Pooran’s dismissal for 98 came via a sensational run-out by Omarzai, but by then, the West Indies had posted a formidable 218/5, their highest score in T20 World Cup history.
Afghanistan’s Rocky Start
Chasing 219, Afghanistan needed a blazing start, but they lost Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck in the third ball. Despite a steady partnership between Gulbadin Naib and Ibrahim Zadran, the Afghan innings never got going. Here’s a snapshot of their innings:
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulbadin Naib | 24 | 18 | 133.33 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 21 | 17 | 123.52 |
| Karim Janat | 23 | 19 | 121.05 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 23 | 19 | 121.05 |
Collapse and Comedy
Afghanistan’s middle-order collapse was dramatic, but not without a touch of humor. As wickets fell, the West Indies fielders celebrated with dance moves and high-fives, keeping the crowd entertained. The Afghan batsmen tried to counterattack, but it was too little, too late.
By drinks, Afghanistan was 66/5, with the Windies bowlers dominating. Gudakesh Motie, in particular, was impressive, taking crucial wickets and keeping the pressure on. Afghanistan was all out for 114, handing the West Indies a massive 104-run victory.
A Force to Reckon With
This dominant performance not only kept the West Indies unbeaten but also sent a strong message to other teams in the tournament. Their blend of explosive batting, strategic partnerships, and disciplined bowling makes them a formidable opponent as they advance to the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup.
With the crowd still buzzing from the high-scoring spectacle, it’s clear that the West Indies are not just here to compete—they’re here to win. And as they head into the next phase, their opponents would do well to take notice.
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