Nicholas Pooran hit a blistering knock of 98 in 53 balls as West Indies recorded an easy 104-run victory over Afghanistan to reach T-20 World Cup Super Eight stage in their last group match played at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St. Lucia yesterday.
The wicket keeper batsman Pooran’s eight sixes helped the co-hosts build up 218-5 wickets which the highest score of the tournament so far and St. Lucia pitch has turned batting friendly as Sri Lanka also scored 201 in previous day game. Pooran also broke the record of most sixes (128) in T20’s for West Indies going past Chris Gayle 124 sixes.
West Indies were 85-1 after five overs with 36 runs coming from the fourth, including three Pooran sixes, a no-ball and five wides – equalling the record for the most expensive over in men’s T20s. After power play West Indies were 92 for 1 wicket which was the highest runs so far during the power play in this tournament. Pooran was unfortunately run out in the final over desperately trying to keep the strike in search of three figures. His 53 ball knock contained 6 fours and 8 sixes with a strike rate of 184.90.
But West Indies dominance continued into Afghanistan’s chase when leg spinner Akeal Hosein who opened the attack had dashing opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz caught for a three-ball duck in a wicket maiden to start. From there the hosts found breakthroughs regularly and Afghanistan were bowled out for 114 in 16.2 overs and West Indies celebrated a massive 104 run win under their coach Daren Sammy’s home ground in St. Lucia.
Obed McCoy took three wickets and spinners Akeal and Gudakesh Motie took two apiece were pick of the Caribbean bowles. Pooran was adjudged Man of the Match for his heroic knock.
With both sides West Indies and Afghanistan already through to the next stage, co-hosts West Indies dispatched a much-fancied Afghanistan side with a statement win in St. Lucia and also heading their group with 8 points.
West Indies victory concludes the initial group stage of this World Cup, which now moves on to its second phase with eight teams battling across two groups to secure a semi-final place.
The first Super Eight stage fixture between South Africa and co- host USA will be played today (19) at North Sound Antigua commencing from 8pm (Sri Lanka time).
Chief scores
West Indies 218 for 5 wickets in 20 overs Johnson Charles 43, Nicolas Pooran 98 , Shai Hope 25, Rowman Powell 26, Gulbadin Naib 2/14
Afghanistan 114 all out in 16.2 overs Ibrahim Zadran 38, Azmatullah Omarzai 23, Karim Janet 14, Rashid Khan 18, Akeal Husein 2/21 ,Obed McCoy 3.
Ferguson’s bowling record steers NZ to victory
New Zealand (NZ) signed off a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign with a dominant win over Papua New Guinea (PNG), chasing down a paltry target of 79 with seven wickets and 46 balls to spare at the Brian Lara Stadium, in Tarouba yesterday.
The scale of the mismatch was characterised by paceman Lockie Ferguson’s figures of 3 for 0 from his four overs. The New Zealand speedster became only the second bowler to bowl four maidens in a T20I fixture after Canada captain Saad Bin Zafar achieved the feat in 2021 when he returned 2 for 0 against Panama.
Chief scores
Papua New Guinea 78 all out in 19.4 overs (Chalrles Amini 17, Lokie Ferguson 3-0, Tim Southee 2-11,Trent Boult 2-14)
New Zealand 79 for 3 wickets in 12.2 overs (Dewon Conway 35, Daryl Mitchell 12*, Kabua Morea 2-4)
Dhammika Ratnaweera
