WI vs AFG T20 World Cup 2024: West Indies (WI) crushed Afghanistan (AFG) by 104 runs in the 40th match of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 on June 18 (India time) at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia. The WI vs AFG match also marked the last Group stage contest in the T20 World Cup. The WI vs AFG match had no relevance as far as Super 8 qualification was concerned as both the teams had already qualified from Group C. However, with this win, co-hosts West Indies have won four out of four matches in the Group stage.
After being invited to bat first by Afghanistan, Rovman Powell-led West Indies were ruthless in their approach right from the get go. Their batting innings was highlighted by a scintillating 53-ball 98 runs knock by Nicholas Pooran who hit eight sixes and six boundaries. His innings highlight was when he scored 36 runs in a single over off the bowling of Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai.
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Powered by Pooran’s innings, West Indies finished with the total of 218-5 in their allotted 20 overs.
Watch Nicholas Pooran Scoring 36 Runs In Single Over:
West Indies' Target Too Big A Mountain To Climb For Afghanistan Batters
In reply, Afghanistan experienced a poor start as they lost opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the very first over as Akeal Hosein drew the first blood for co-hosts. Ibrahim Zadran and Gulbadin Naib tried rebuilding Afghanistan’s innings but Gulbadin lost his wicket right after the powerplay. From then on, there was no recovery for Afghanistan as West Indies bowlers kept picking regular wickets. 114 in 16.2 overs is all that Afghanistan could manage chasing the monumental target.
Nicholas Pooran was adjudged the Player of the Match for his brilliant 98-run knock. This win by 104 runs stands as the second-biggest victory by the margin of runs for West Indies in T20Is.
Afghanistan will next face India in their first match of the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2024 on June 20, whereas West Indies will lock horns with the defending champions England on the same day.