T20 World Cup: Pooran heroics propel West Indies to big win over Afghanistan

By SABC Sport
18th June 2024

Nicholas Pooran fell just short of the first century of the T20 World Cup as West Indies overpowered Afghanistan by 104 runs in the final group match.

Pooran smashed 98 from 53 balls before he was run out in the final over in St Lucia as the co-hosts amassed 218 for five - the highest score of the pool stages.

And it proved too much for previously unbeaten Afghanistan, who rarely looked like challenging and were shot out for 114 in the 17th over.

Despite losing Brandon King early, the West Indies got off to a flying start - Azmatullah Omarzai going for 41 runs from his two overs as Johnson Charles and Pooran brought up the 100 in the eighth over.

Charles fell for 43 from 27 balls, Shai Hope (25) and captain Rovman Powell (26) keeping the momentum going alongside Pooran.

The wicketkeeper was finally out three balls from the end after crashing eight sixes and six fours as the West Indies amassed 218 for five.

Afghanistan's reply got off to a slow start, Rahmanullah Gurbaz falling amid eight straight dot balls to start the innings.

Ibrahim Zadran hit 38 from 28 balls and Azmatullah 23 from 19, but wickets fell regularly throughout, Obed McCoy taking three for 14.

West Indies stay in St Lucia for their Super 8 pool stage opener against England on Wednesday night, while Afghanistan face India in Barbados on Thursday.