Nicholas Pooran’s electrifying performance with the bat spearheaded West Indies’ resounding 104-run triumph over Afghanistan in their final Group C clash of the T20 World Cup, held at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium on Monday. The left-handed batsman, who was agonizingly close to a maiden T20I century, unleashed a barrage of power shots, smashing 83 runs off just 52 deliveries, including five sixes and eight fours.
Pooran’s dominance started early, as he capitalized on Afghanistan’s lack of swing bowling, plundering 36 runs off Azmatullah Omarzai’s second over. This included three sixes, contributing to a record-breaking over in T20 World Cup history. Even Rashid Khan, a renowned leg-spinner, was unable to contain Pooran’s onslaught, conceding 12 runs in his first over.
The West Indies’ innings was a relentless display of attacking batting, setting a challenging target of 219 for Afghanistan. The foundation for this massive score was laid by an explosive 80-run partnership between Pooran and Johnson Charles, who blasted 43 runs off 27 balls before falling victim to a slower ball from Naveen-ul-Haq.
While the scoring rate slowed slightly in the middle overs, Pooran picked up the pace again towards the end, hitting Rashid Khan for 24 runs in the 18th over, showcasing his exceptional power hitting.
In the end, Afghanistan were always playing catch-up after a disastrous start with the bat. Obed McCoy, playing his first match of the World Cup, made an immediate impact, taking three wickets in eight balls, effectively dismantling the chase and ensuring West Indies’ entry into the Super 8s unbeaten.
Left-arm orthodox spinner Akeal Hosein also contributed significantly by claiming two wickets in his first over, taking advantage of a favorable matchup to dismiss Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck.
The win marks a dominant performance by West Indies, who showcased their batting prowess and bowling discipline throughout the match. Pooran’s explosive innings will undoubtedly be remembered as a highlight of the tournament, highlighting his ability to dictate the pace of the game and deliver crucial runs for his team.
