WEST INDIES VS AFGHANISTHAN , 40TH MATCH, T20 WORLD CUP, 2024

The standout moment from Nicholas Pooran’s explosive innings at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium on Monday night occurred towards its climax. For 52 deliveries, the left-hander dominated the Afghanistan bowling attack on a perfect batting pitch. Despite his efforts, when Russell approached Pooran for a congratulatory pat, every West Indies supporter felt the letdown as keenly as Pooran did. However, by then, the 104-run victory in their final Group C match was a near-certainty.

Chasing a target of 219, Afghanistan fell behind early, sliding from 45 for one to 63 for five within the first 10 overs. Obed McCoy, playing his first match of the World Cup, claimed three wickets for 14 runs in just eight balls, effectively ending Afghanistan’s chase and ensuring West Indies advanced to the Super 8s with an unbeaten record. The batting collapse started with a maiden wicket over from left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, who dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck.

KEY MOMENTS-

West Indies Innings

Power Play: Hosts Go Full Throttle

Phase Score: 92/1 | Run Rate:15.34 | 4s/6s: 13/3

The West Indies targeted Fazalhaq Farooqi from the outset. Brandon King began the assault with a four off the first ball. Despite Azmatullah Omarzai dismissing King in the second over, Nicholas Pooran retaliated with a 36-run over, including three sixes, three fours, five wides, and a dismissed ball that didn’t count due to a free-hit. This blitz took West Indies past 50 runs within the first four overs, and they ended the PowerPlay with a record 92/1, surpassing the previous highest score of 91/1 by the Netherlands against Ireland.

Middle Overs: Afghanistan Slows the Pace with Spin

Phase Score: 56/2 | Run Rate: 6.23 | 4s/6s: 1/2

Naveen halted Charles’s aggressive play with a slower ball in the eighth over, leading to his dismissal. Afghanistan regained control with tight overs from Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmed. Mohammad Nabi’s introduction aimed to further restrict West Indies, but Shai Hope countered with two sixes. Hope’s aggressive play ended when Gulbadin Naib lured him into a false shot, resulting in a sharp catch by Najibullah Zadran.

Death Overs: Pooran Misses the Century

Phase Score: 70/2 | Run Rate: 14.00 | 4s/6s: 3/7

Pooran, who had been starved of the strike during Afghanistan’s middle-over comeback, reasserted West Indies’ dominance by hitting Rashid for three sixes and a four in the 18th over. Nearing a century, Pooran was run out by Azmatullah Omarzai for 98, and West Indies concluded their innings at 218/5.

Afghanistan Innings

Power Play: Gurbaz Departs Early; Ibrahim Zadran Advances the Chase

Phase Score: 45/1 | Run Rate: 7.50 | 4s/6s:6/1

Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed in the first over by Akeal Hosein, leading to a slow start. Ibrahim Zadran later took calculated risks, hitting two boundaries off Hosein and targeting Alzarri Joseph to keep the score moving.

Middle Overs: Afghanistan’s Collapse

Phase Score: 57/7 | Run Rate: 6.33 | 4s/6s: 4/2

Obed McCoy, substituting for Romario Shepherd, dismantled Afghanistan’s middle order with three wickets. Gudakesh Motie trapped Gulbadin Naib leg before, followed by McCoy dismissing Ibrahim Zadran and Najibullah Zadran. Subsequent overs saw more wickets fall, with Motie and Hosein chipping in to leave Afghanistan reeling.

Death Overs: West Indies Secure Victory

Phase Score: 12/2 | Run Rate: 9.00 | 4s/6s: 1/1

The match concluded quickly, with Alzarri Joseph and Andre Russell taking the final two wickets, sealing a commanding 104-run win for West Indies.

Brief Scores-

West Indies: 218/5 (Nicholas Pooran 98, Johnson Charles 43; Gulbadin Naib 2-14)
Afghanistan: 114 in 16.2 overs (Ibrahim Zadran 38; Obed McCoy 3-14, Akeal Hosein 2-21, Gudakesh Motie 2-28)

Upcoming Matches-
Afghanistan travels to Barbados to face India on June 20 in the Super-8s.
West Indies stays in St. Lucia to play against England on June 19 in the Super-8s.