Gros Islet: Nicholas Pooran’s magnificent 98-run knock and Obed McCoy’s three-wicket haul powered West Indies to a dominant 104-run victory over Afghanistan in their last match of the Group stage of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium on Monday (local time).
The West Indies ended the first round on an unbeaten streak. Being table toppers of Group C, the Windies have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the tournament.
Having qualified for the Super Eight stage, the hosts faced Afghanistan, which too was undefeated till then, looking to maintain their momentum. The Windies dispelled any last doubts about their title claims with an eye-catching performance.
Chasing a huge target of 219, Afghanistan knew they needed to start right from the fifth gear if they were to stand any chance against the massive target. However, a dismissal on the third ball made matters worse as Rahmanullah Gurbaz (0 off 3) played a shot straight to Andre Russell.
Gulbadin Naib and opener Ibrahim Zadran then knuckled down and took Afghanistan’s total to 45/1 at the end of the Powerplay. In the 7th over of the game, Gutakesh Motie struck, triggering a consistent fall of wickets leading up to the innings midpoint, with the Afghans at 66/5 at drinks.
Ibrahim was able to play some good shots off Alzarri Joseph, striking the pacer for one four and two sixes in the opening six overs.
He also got a few away from Hosein, but couldn’t keep a leisurely flick off Obed McCoy to deep backward square leg where Johnson Charles took a good catch.
In his debut T20 World Cup encounter, McCoy dismissed Najibullah Zadran a few balls later before knocking over Mohammad Nabi to reduce Afghanistan to 63 for 5 in the tenth over. Azmatullah Omarzai landed a couple of powerful blows, but Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, and Andre Russell never let Afghanistan get away with the required run rate.
Karim Janat and Azmatullah Omarzai both hammered sixes in the 11th over. In the 13th over, Akeal Hosein broke Afghanistan’s momentum as he removed set batter Omarzai for 23.
Afghanistan was all out for 114, suffering their first World Cup defeat. After three comprehensive wins, the team failed in all three departments in the game and will move ahead with some key findings ahead of their Super 8 match.
T20 World Cup: West Indies Pooran’s magnificent 98, McCoy’s three wickets result in Afghanistan first defeat
