T20 WC 2024, Match 40, West Indies vs Afghanistan: Nicholas Pooran shines as West Indies post a record total - Cricket Winner

The 40th match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 is currently occurring between West Indies vs Afghanistan at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet in St Lucia on Jun 17, 08:30 PM local. Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bowl first. Nicholas Pooran smashed 98 and helped his side post a massive total.

Put into bat first, the West Indies had a flying start as their openers Brandon King and J Charles started playing aggressively and added 22 runs within 2 overs before the former got out. However, Nicholas Pooran joined Charles in the middle and they started to resurrect the innings.

Nicholas Pooran steals the show with the bat

Both of them took on every bowler and smashed shots in every corner with ease. They crossed the 100-run mark within 8 overs as well. Their onslaught saw the Afghanistan bowlers struggling in the middle as they were unable to find a solution to restrict the batters.

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They added 80 runs before Charles got out after smashing a quick 43 runs off 27 with 8 fours as well. After his dismissal Shai Hope joined Pooran and they stitched 33 runs where Pooran took the charge as well. Later, Rovman Powell also scored 26 but it was Pooran who stole the show.

West Indies recorded the second-highest innings total against Afghanistan

He smashed a swashbuckling 98 off 53 with 6 fours and 8 sixes as well before getting ran out in the final over. Their onslaught helped West Indies post a record total of 218 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs as well. Meanwhile, Gulbadin claimed 2 wickets for Afghanistan.

However, West Indies’ 218/5 is the second-highest innings total against Afghanistan in T20Is, after Ireland’s 225/7 in Abu Dhabi in 2013 as well. Also, Nicholas Pooran managed to break a few records with his knock as well. He became the sixth batter with 500-plus sixes in Men’s T20 cricket (502). Also, he hit the most sixes for West Indies in T20Is – (128) and placed joint-third in hitting the most sixes in an innings in Men’s T20 World Cup – (8) as well.