The West Indies continued their unbeaten run in Group C of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 with a dominant 104-run victory over Afghanistan at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St Lucia.

Nicholas Pooran entertains with a blazing knock

Opting to bat first after losing the toss, West Indies rode on a magnificent innings from Nicholas Pooran (98 off 53 balls) to post a daunting total of 218/5. Pooran smashed eight sixes and six fours in a belligerent display of power-hitting, ably supported by Johnson Charles (43 off 27) at the top of the order.

Afghan bowling lacked bite

The Afghan bowling attack struggled to contain the Windies batters. While Gulbadin Naib picked up two wickets, the likes of Rashid Khan (0/45) and Naveen-ul-Haq (1/41) were expensive.

Windies bowling dominates

In reply, Afghanistan’s chase never got going. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran (38 off 28) fell cheaply. The West Indies bowlers shared the spoils with Obed McCoy (3/14) leading the way with three wickets. Akeal Hosein (2/21) and Gudakesh Motie (2/28) were equally impressive, restricting Afghanistan to a paltry 114 all out in 16.2 overs.

Pooran deservedly named Player of the Match

Pooran’s match-winning knock was deservedly awarded the Player of the Match trophy. The win gave the West Indies a crucial psychological boost as they head into the Super 8 stage of the tournament.

Also READ: Fans and experts erupt as Lockie Ferguson delivers best bowling figures in T20 World Cup history

Here is how fans reacted:

Hands down one of the most memorable #T20WorldCup innings!💥

Our POTM – Nicholas Pooran🎖#WIREADY | #T20WorldCup | #WIvAFG pic.twitter.com/WMxP4suYp9

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) June 18, 2024

Nicholas Pooran with the POTM award.

– 98 (53) with 6 fours and 8 sixes. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/zb56oGD558

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 18, 2024

Home team winning T20 WC match by 100+ runs

West Indies v UGA, 2024
West Indies v AFG, 2024

— West Indies are also the FIRST ever team to win 2 T20WC matches by 100+ runs in a single edition. pic.twitter.com/YuoKrKB4uy

— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) June 18, 2024

UGA – 58/10 vs Afghanistan.
NZ – 75/10 vs Afghanistan.
PNG – 95/10 vs Afghanistan.

Then, NICHOLAS POORAN scored 98(53) vs Afghanistan 🥶 pic.twitter.com/g8cGaQhBLA

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 18, 2024

Windies win 4/4 beating Afghanistan comprehensively. What a thrashing this is for @ACBofficials who looked clueless as @nicholas_47 totally took their bowlers apart. Even in the Super 8’s I don’t see @ACBofficials winning more than 1 match & that too against @BCBtigers . #WIvAFG https://t.co/sBA0P2tXt1

— Nikhil Ram (@Nikhil_Rams) June 18, 2024

Nicholas Pooran played a brilliant innings of 98 runs in 53 balls against Afghanistan, he surpassed Chris Gayle in terms of sixes and became the player who has hit the most sixes from West Indies.#WIvAFG pic.twitter.com/F91SjGKvvc

— Dushyant Kumar (@DushyantKrRawat) June 18, 2024

@windiescricket are looking ominous at home! THAT IS STUNNING against a team in form. @nicholas_47 WHAT A T20 GIANT! The best T20 batter in the world? (Klaasen, SKY where do they place?)#WIvAFG #AFGvWI #T20Worldcup2024

— Ani (@anirudhani_) June 18, 2024

@nicholas_47 🐐 🐐🐐 https://t.co/Foad0WFs2r

— Ck@ (@damCkyakno1) June 18, 2024

Always knew Nicholas pooran is just not a finisher. He can bat up in the order and score many runs .But Lsg management keeps him playing only as a finisher. Brilliant innings. Took Rashid to the cleaners. @nicholas_47#Crickettwitter #WIvAFG

— Anish (@AnishKumar1104) June 18, 2024

Some 98’s are better then 💯
You Beauty Nicholas Pooran 🌴 pic.twitter.com/0l9oUDoaEV

— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) June 18, 2024

Also READ: Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan smashes fastest T20I century and most sixes in an innings

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