Towards the Super 8 stage of the tournament, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 seems to be heating up as teams are being quite competitive. The host nation, West Indies (WI), have been playing a spectacular brand of cricket and on Tuesday, they gave away a testament to setting the tone for exciting matches to come.
In their Group C clash against Afghanistan (AFG) at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia (June 18th), the Windies batters came out all guns blazing. Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan chose to field first, and initially, this seemed like a good call. Azmatullah Omarzai dismissed Brandon King quite early in the innings.
However, the West Indies batsmen had other plans. Johnson Charles and Nicholas Pooran made a huge partnership for the 2nd wicket, building a strong foundation for a huge total on the board. Pooran, in particular, stole the show with a breathtaking performance as he kept on batting at a brisk pace.
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Facing Omarzai in the fourth over, Nicholas Pooran churned out 36 runs and left the bowler stunned. This brutal assault not only left the Afghan bowler reeling but also cemented Pooran’s place in history. He became the fifth bowler in T20I history to concede so many runs in a single over and surpassed Chris Gayle for the most sixes by a West Indian batsman in T20Is.
WATCH: Nicholas Pooran in devastating touch as Azmatullah Omarzai concedes 36 runs from one over 🤯#WIvAFG | #T20WorldCuphttps://t.co/r6pYX6u9rS
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) June 18, 2024
Nicholas Pooran looked destined for a well-deserved century, but a twist of fate intervened. Omarzai, seeking redemption, executed a brilliant run-out to dismiss him. Despite this setback, Pooran had already done the damage. West Indies had piled on a daunting total of 218 runs (highest in the tournament so far), leaving Afghanistan with a mountain to climb.
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This electrifying match showcased not only the West Indies’ firepower and skill but also the unpredictable nature of the shortest format of the game. With record-breaking feats and heart-stopping moments, the Windies have set a high bar for the Super Eight stage, promising an unforgettable tournament for cricket fans worldwide.
