📷 Image Credits: The Indian Express
Nicholas Pooran’s stunning 53-ball 98 led West Indies to a commanding total of 218 for 5 against Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Daren Sammy National Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia. Showcasing his power-hitting prowess, Pooran’s innings was a delight to watch as he took the Afghanistan bowlers to the cleaners. After a shaky start with the loss of Brendon King early on, Pooran, along with Johnson Charles, steered the Windies to a formidable position of 92/1 in the powerplay, setting a record for the highest Powerplay score in a T20 World Cup match. As the Afghanistan spinners applied the brakes in the middle overs, Pooran unleashed an onslaught towards the end of the innings, smashing boundaries and sixes at will to guide West Indies to their highest-ever total in T20 World Cups.
Having already qualified for the Super Eight stage, both teams were playing for the top spot in Group C. Romario Shepherd, who missed the game due to the birth of his second child, was replaced by Obed McCoy in the West Indies lineup. Shai Hope also came in for Royston Chase. On the other hand, Afghanistan fielded an unchanged XI for the crucial encounter.
The Afghan team opted to bowl first after winning the toss in a bid to chase down a challenging total set by the Windies. However, things did not go as planned for them as Akeal Hosein made an immediate impact by dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the very first over of the innings. A series of boundaries and sixes from Pooran’s bat kept the scoreboard ticking for West Indies as they amassed a massive total.
Throughout his innings, Pooran displayed his exceptional hitting abilities, smashing the ball to all parts of the ground. His knock included a flurry of boundaries and sixes, with some gigantic hits landing deep into the stands. The left-hander’s innings was filled with memorable moments, including reaching 2000 T20I runs and hitting the highest total for West Indies in a T20 World Cup match.
In the end, despite a valiant effort from Afghanistan’s bowlers, they were unable to contain Pooran’s onslaught, as West Indies posted a daunting target of 218. It was an innings filled with entertainment and fireworks, showcasing the brilliance of Nicholas Pooran in the T20 World Cup 2024.
