Afghanistan found themselves in deep trouble when key batter Ibrahim Zadran lost his wicket to Obed McCoy’s delivery. Chasing a massive target of 219 set by the West Indies, Afghanistan’s morale took a significant hit after this crucial dismissal.
The West Indies dominated the game from the start. Nicholas Pooran delivered a spectacular innings, scoring 98 runs off 53 balls, including eight sixes and six boundaries, before being run out just shy of a well-deserved century. Pooran smashed 36 runs off Omarzai’s over with three huge sixes and two boundaries, plus four byes, five wides, and a boundary off a no-ball.
Earlier, Johnson Charles set the tone alongside Pooran with a quick 43 off 27 balls. Captain Rovman Powell and Shai Hope contributed with quickfire cameos, taking the hosts to an impressive total of 218-5 in 20 overs.
Ibrahim Zadran’s dismissal came off a fuller delivery on the pads from Obed McCoy, which Zadran flicked straight to deep square-leg fielder Johnson Charles. Despite Zadran’s perfect timing, he hit the ball flat, allowing Charles to take a straightforward reverse-cup catch without moving an inch.
This wicket was crucial as Zadran was building a solid innings for Afghanistan. McCoy struck again in the same over, dismissing Najibullah Zadran and deepening Afghanistan’s troubles. At the time of writing, McCoy had taken three wickets, including Mohammad Nabi’s, putting Afghanistan on the back foot.
Both West Indies and Afghanistan have already secured their spots in the Super Eights. Though a dead rubber, this match will determine the group winners.
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