Pooran’s explosive 98 takes WI to 104-run win over Afghanistan

GROS ISLET: Nicholas Pooran displayed his incredible six-hitting prowess as West Indies geared up for the Super 8 with a dominating 104-run win over Afghanistan in its final Group C match of the T20 World Cup here.

With both teams assured of a Super 8 berth, it was the two-time champion which displayed its batting might, amassing a formidable 218 for five, with Pooran going on a six-hitting spree during his 53-ball 98. It was the highest total for the West Indies in T20 World Cups.

In reply, Afghanistan succumbed to scoreboard pressure, managing just 114 in 16.2 overs.

Afghanistan had bundled out its opponent for sub-100 totals in its first three games but skipper Rashid Khan’s decision to bowl first here backfired as Pooran put on a ruthless display, hitting as many as 8 maximums and 6 fours during his stay.

Opener Johnson Charles (43), Shai Hope (25) and Powell (26) also contributed with the bat as WI posted the highest total of this edition of T20 World Cup.

Gulbadin Naib (2/14) was the top bowler for Afghanistan, claiming two wickets in his 2 overs.

With the bat, opener Ibrahim Zadran (38), Azmatullah Omarzai (23) and Karim Janat (14) tried their bit but it proved too huge a total in the end.

Earlier, West Indies lost opener Brandon King in the second over but the host scored heavily in the first five overs and the last five overs.

Pooran turned on the heat in the fourth over, collecting 36-runs off Omarzai’s bowling - 6, 5NB, 5WD, 0, 4LB, 4, 6, 6. It was the joint most expensive over in T20Is.

The wicketkeeper batter and Charles took the host to 92/1 at the six-over mark, the biggest Powerplay total in men’s T20 World Cup history.

“You don’t want to be on 97 and get run-out but it was all about reaching a respectable total. I assessed the conditions early on, we had a good start in the powerplay, I had to take the responsibility in the middle overs with the Afghanistan spinners bowling,” ‘Player of the Match’ Pooran said.

Afghanistan really didn’t recover from the onslaught as after pacer Naveen-Ul-Haq dismissed Charles, Pooran continued his hitting spree with Hopes and Powell playing second fiddle.

In the 18th over, Pooran launched into Rashid, smacking him for three maximums and a four for a 24-run over.

During his innings Pooran surpassed Chris Gayle (124 sixes) as West Indies’ most decorated T20I six-hitter. The left-hander was eventually run-out in the last over.

Chasing the huge total, Afghanistan never looked comfortable as it lost in-form Rahmanullah Gurbaz (0) in the first over.

Brief scores: West Indies 218/5 in 20 overs (N Pooran 98, J Charles 43) bt Afghanistan 114 in 16.2 overs (O McCoy 3/14)