West Indies’ Nicholas Pooran showcased his power and elegance by scoring a stunning 98 runs, including eight sixes, leading his team to a massive 104-run victory over Afghanistan. This match, held at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St. Lucia, marked the final first-round clash of the T20 World Cup on June 17, 2024.
Pooran was run out in the final over by a direct hit from Azmatullah Omarzai while attempting a second run. His efforts helped West Indies post a tournament-high score of 218 for five.
Afghanistan, in response, managed only 114 in 16.2 overs. Despite the outcome, both teams had already secured their places in the Super Eight round, which starts on Wednesday.
West Indies started aggressively after being put to bat first. Brandon King and Johnson Charles quickly put runs on the board, with 13 runs coming off the first over. Pooran then joined the attack, smashing a six and a four, bringing up the team’s 50 in under four overs.
Afghanistan’s captain, Rashid Khan, attempted to regain control with his wrist spin but conceded 12 runs in his first over. By the end of the powerplay, West Indies had scored a record 92 for one in a T20 World Cup match.
Although Afghanistan’s spinners slowed the run rate slightly, West Indies maintained a strong momentum, reaching 200 after 18.5 overs. The Afghans struggled against West Indies’ bowlers, with Obed McCoy, playing his first game of the tournament, taking three wickets for just 14 runs.
Pooran, who also made a spectacular catch as a wicketkeeper, expressed his delight after the match. “I had to take responsibility,” he said. “In West Indies, people want fours and sixes. You can’t do that every time, but when conditions allow, you should capitalize.”
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