West Indies crush Afghanistan in record-breaking T20 World Cup showdown

Nicholas Pooran played a power-hitting 98-run knock, propelling the West Indies to a resounding 104 runs victory over Afghanistan in an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Pooran's blistering knock of 98 runs set the stage for a record-breaking total, leaving Afghanistan struggling to keep up in the face of relentless bowling. It was the highest individual score by any batsman at this edition of the Men's T20 World Cup.

Moreover, the West Indies' total of 218-5 is also the highest total by any team during the tournament. It was the also the country's highest total in any edition of the T20 World Cup.

West Indies' Powerplay score of 92 runs, also surpassed the previous record of 91 runs scored by the Netherlands against Ireland.

Afghanistan, attempting to chase a challenging target of 219 runs, were dismissed for just 114 runs in 16.2 overs.

The West Indies bowlers performed exceptionally well, led by Obed McCoy who took 3 wickets for 14 runs. Gudakesh Motie and Akeal Hosein also contributed significantly, claiming two wickets each.

Ibrahim Zadran was the standout performer for Afghanistan, scoring 38 runs off 28 balls as an opener.

Despite Zadran's efforts, Afghanistan's batting struggled to build momentum, resulting in a decisive loss under the captaincy of Rashid Khan.

Earlier in the game, Afghanistan won the toss and chose to field first. This decision allowed the West Indies to post a formidable total of 218-5 in their allotted 20 overs.

Nicholas Pooran starred with the bat, playing an impressive innings of 98 runs from 53 balls, which included six fours and eight sixes.

However, Pooran narrowly missed out on a century when he was run out attempting a second run in the final over.

Johnson Charles also made a valuable contribution, scoring 43 runs off 27 balls with eight boundaries.

Among the Afghan bowlers, Gulbadin Naib was the most successful, finishing with figures of 2 wickets for 14 runs, while Azmatullah Omarzai and Naveen-ul-Haq claimed one wicket each.

Omarzai, conceded a total of 36 in one over during the Powerplay as Pooran smashed three sixes and a pair of fours off his second over.

Some sloppy bowling meant Yuvraj Singh's long-standing record for most runs in one over at a Men's T20 World Cup which he scored against Stuart Broad in 2007 was equaled.

Both teams had already secured their places in the Super 8 stage after winning their first three matches in Group C. Both were unbeaten before the encounter.

West Indies pacer Romario Shepherd briefly left the team camp to attend the birth of his second child.

He is expected to rejoin the squad tomorrow, with Obed McCoy replacing him for this particular match. Afghanistan fielded an unchanged lineup.