A superlative batting display led by Nicholas Pooran powered West Indies to a 104-run win over Afghanistan in their final Group C match of the T20 World Cup.
T20 World Cup: West Indies vs Afghanistan – HIGHLIGHTS
With both teams assured of a Super 8 berth, it was the two-time champions WI who displayed their batting might, amassing a formidable 218 for five, with Pooran going on a six-hitting spree during his 53-ball 98.
Afghanistan’s decision to bowl first backfired as Pooran hit as many as 8 maximums and 6 fours during his stay.
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In reply, Afghanistan succumbed to scoreboard pressure, managing just 114 in 16.2 overs.
West Indies went instantly on to the attack after being asked to bat first on an excellent pitch in front of an exuberant crowd.
Brandon King guided the first ball from left arm paceman Fazalhaq Farooqi through the leg side for four and Johnson Charles struck another four through square leg, with 13 coming off the first over.
Charles square drove the first ball from Omarzai to the boundary then sliced to third man for four. King was clean bowled before Pooran, the most prolific six hitter in T20s this decade, crashed a six and a four to bring up the team’s 50 in less than four overs.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan brought himself on in the fifth over to try to exert some control with his wrist spin only to concede 12 runs, and at the end of the powerplay West Indies were 92 for one, the highest score after six overs in a T20 World Cup.
Afghanistan’s slow bowlers managed to wrest back some control but the score was still 113 for two after 10 overs and 148 for three after 15. The 200 came up after 18.5 overs off medium pacer Gulbadin Naib, the seventh man asked to bowl.
The Afghans were never in the hunt as the West Indies bowlers imposed a stranglehold from the start, with left arm paceman Obed McCoy, playing his first game of the tournament, varying his length and pace from a relaxed action to take three for 14.
Pooran, in his other role as wicketkeeper, took a spectacular leaping catch before the innings finished.
“I had to take responsibility,” said Pooran after smashing the highest individual score at this year’s tournament.
“In West Indies people want four and sixes. You can’t do that every time but when conditions allow you should capitalise.”
Hosts Windies will face England in their Super 8 Group 2 match on June 20, while Afghanistan will take on India later the same day.
