Pooran's Blitz Takes Down Afghanistan: 36 Runs in One Over

In the final group match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, the West Indies crushed Afghanistan by a massive 104-run margin. Both West Indies and Afghanistan had already secured their places in the Super Eight from Group 'C' before this match, making the result largely academic. However, this game allowed both teams to prepare for the Super Eight stage.

After losing the toss and being put into bat in Saint Lucia, the West Indies posted a towering score of 218 runs, the highest total in this World Cup so far. Chasing the record score, Afghanistan could only manage 114 runs, falling short by 104 runs.

Batting first, the West Indies lost Brandon King early. However, the other opener Johnson Charles and No. 3 Nicholas Pooran took on the Afghan bowlers aggressively during the powerplay, amassing 92 runs, a record powerplay score in World Cup history.

Pooran scored 36 runs (including extras) off a single over bowled by Azmatullah Omarzai.

Johnson Charles was dismissed for 43 runs off 27 balls in the eighth over. The West Indies' innings then slowed down a bit, but the Caribbean batters regained their aggressive form in the last 5 overs. They scored 70 runs between the 16th and 20th overs. Pooran was run out in the final over for 98 runs off 53 balls.

Chasing a target of 219, Afghanistan lost their opener Gurbaz without scoring. With his wicket down, Afghanistan could only gather 45 runs in the first 6 overs. The Afghan innings then began to collapse, losing wickets at regular intervals. Ibrahim Zadran top-scored with 38 runs, while Omarzai added 23. Afghanistan was bowled out for 114 runs in 16.2 overs.

Nicholas Pooran, with his 98 runs off 53 balls, was named Player of the Match. He became the sixth batsman to reach 500 sixes in recognized T20 cricket, hitting 8 sixes against Afghanistan.