In a thrilling display of power-hitting and precision bowling, the West Indies sent a resounding message to the cricketing world with a dominant victory over Afghanistan in their final group match of the T20 World Cup. The match, which took place at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia, saw the West Indies post a mammoth total of 218/5 before bundling out Afghanistan for a paltry 114 to secure a massive 104-run win.
The West Indies innings was a masterclass in batting, led by Nicholas Pooran's blistering 98 off just 53 balls. Pooran, who was named Player of the Match, smashed eight sixes and six fours in his knock, taking the Afghanistan bowlers to the cleaners. He was ably supported by Johnson Charles (31 off 16 balls) and Shimron Hetmyer (21 off 13 balls), as the West Indies posted the highest total of the tournament so far.
The Afghanistan bowlers had no answer to the onslaught, with only Rashid Khan (2/39) and Mohammad Nabi (1/32) managing to pick up wickets. The rest of the bowlers were taken to the cleaners, with the West Indies scoring at a rate of 10.9 runs per over.
In reply, the Afghanistan innings never really got going, as the West Indies bowlers kept picking up wickets at regular intervals. Obed McCoy was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3/14 in his four overs, while Akeal Hosein (2/27) and Gudakesh Motie (2/22) also chipped in with crucial wickets. Only Ibrahim Zadran (21 off 17 balls) and Mohammad Nabi (17 off 12 balls) managed to put up some resistance, but it was not enough to prevent a crushing defeat.
The win sees the West Indies finish at the top of Group C, with four wins out of four, while Afghanistan finish second with three wins out of four. Both teams have already qualified for the Super Eight stage of the tournament.
The West Indies will now face England in their Super Eight match on Thursday, while Afghanistan will take on South Africa on the same day.
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