West Indies Dominate Afghanistan in Record-Breaking T20 World Cup Match

The West Indies cricket team showcased a masterclass in power-hitting and disciplined bowling, thrashing Afghanistan by 104 runs in their final group stage match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium.

Nicholas Pooran’s Historic Over

The highlight of the match was undoubtedly Nicholas Pooran’s explosive innings. Pooran equaled the world record by smashing 36 runs in a single over off Afghanistan pacer Azmatullah Omarzai. This feat matches the record set by cricketing legends Yuvraj Singh and Rohit Sharma. Pooran’s blitzkrieg saw him hit six consecutive sixes, propelling the West Indies to a formidable total.

West Indies’ Batting Brilliance

Winning the toss and opting to bat, the West Indies made full use of the batting-friendly conditions. The team posted an imposing total of 218/5 in their 20 overs. Pooran was the star of the show with his career-best score of 98 runs, ably supported by his fellow batsmen. The team also set a new record for the highest powerplay score in T20 World Cup history.

Afghanistan’s Struggles

Chasing a mammoth target, Afghanistan faltered right from the start. The West Indies bowlers maintained relentless pressure, with Obed McCoy leading the charge by claiming three crucial wickets. Afghanistan’s top order collapsed, with opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz falling for a duck. The team could only muster 114 runs before being bowled out in the 16th over.

Fans and cricket pundits took to social media to express their awe at Pooran’s historic over and the West Indies’ dominant performance. The Windies Cricket official account celebrated Pooran as the Player of the Match, and praised McCoy’s pivotal role in their commanding victory.

Looking Ahead

With this win, the West Indies remain unbeaten in the group stage, carrying significant momentum into the Super 8s. Afghanistan, despite their loss, showed flashes of potential and will look to regroup and come back stronger in future matches.

Match Summary

West Indies: 218/5 (20 overs) [Nicholas Pooran 98, Brandon King 44; Azmatullah Omarzai 1-55]
Afghanistan: 114 all out (15.4 overs) [Najibullah Zadran 28, Mohammad Nabi 25; Obed McCoy 3-23, Jason Holder 2-18]
Result: West Indies won by 104 runs

Quotes

Nicholas Pooran, West Indies batsman: “It feels surreal to match the record of hitting 36 runs in an over. I’m thrilled with our team’s performance and hope to continue this form into the next stage.”

Obed McCoy, West Indies bowler: “Our strategy was to maintain pressure from the start, and it worked perfectly. This win is a huge confidence booster for us.”

Rashid Khan, Afghanistan captain: “It was a tough game for us. Credit to the West Indies for their exceptional performance. We’ll analyze our mistakes and aim to improve in the upcoming matches.”