In the 2024 T20 World Cup, West Indies showed their best in every aspect to defeat Afghanistan by a huge verge of 104 runs and secure their spot in the group stage with four victories on the road. A historic PowerPlay was prospered by Nicholas Pooran's magnificent 93 runs from 58 balls, which positioned the West Indies for an aggregate of over 200 runs. Afghanistan, on the other side, stumbled under the pressure of a high-scoring chase.

When does the game come in favor of the West Indies?

As Afghanistan did in the initial part of the game, which is known as PowerPlay West Indies scored more than twice as many runs. Afghanistan did in the initial part of the game, known as the PowerPlay. However, Afghanistan struggled halfway through the game and lost a lot of wickets. Even though Afghanistan scored moderately more runs than West Indies did during this time, West Indies did much better in securing their wickets, which helped them win the game.

West Indies:

Initial Overs – 92/1 [RR: 15.34, 4s/6s: 13/3]

At the beginning of their turn to bat, almost half of the balls thrown by the opponents were hit hard for either four runs or six runs by the home team. They started playing very aggressively right from the start. It all began with Brandon King hitting a full ball to the boundary through midwicket on the first ball. Although Azmatullah Omarzai got him out in the second over, he faced a tough time in the following over as Nicholas Pooran hit him all over the field, scoring 36 runs. Pooran hit three sixes and three fours in that over, and there were also five wide balls. One of Pooran's dismissals didn't count because it was a free hit. Thanks to this amazing over, West Indies quickly scored more than 50 runs by the fourth over. Pooran and Johnson Charles kept hitting the ball hard and scoring runs easily in perfect batting conditions. Naveen Ul Haq bowled the quietest over during the first six overs, giving away only 7 runs. Even with that, West Indies ended up with the highest score in the first six overs of any T20 World Cup match. They scored more than the previous record of 91 runs for 1 wicket by the Netherlands against Ireland in Sylhet in 2014.

Middle Overs - 56/2 [RR: 6.23, 4s/6s: 1/2]

Naveen assisted Afghanistan by stopping Charles from gaining more runs in the eighth over by bowling leisurely. Charles hit the ball in the air towards Gulbadin Naib, who caught it well at cover. After that wicket, Afghanistan did well along with Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmed bowling silently, giving away only 21 runs in four overs. Rashid escorted Mohammad Nabi into the attack to lower down West Indies even more, however, Shai Hope hit him for two big sixes. Right after, Rashid brought in Gulbadin Naib, who duped Hope into hitting a shot that Najibullah Zadran caught very well at deep midwicket.

Death Overs - 70/2 [RR: 14.00, 4s/6s: 3/7]

Pooran played a pivotal role in the West Indies opposing Afghanistan. He hit three sixes and a four in one over, uplifting West Indies past 200 runs. He aimed for a century but was caught short on 98 runs off 53 balls. West Indies ended with 218 runs from 5 wickets.

Afghanistan:

Initial Overs - 45/1 [RR: 7.50, 4s/6s: 6/1]

Afghanistan lost their top batter earlier when Rahmanullah Gurbaz was plucked by Andre Russell Off Akeal Hosein in the initial over. Ibrahim Zadran then stepped up, hitting two fours off Hosein and a six off Alzarri Joseph, providing five boundaries in the initial six overs for Afghanistan.

Middle Overs - 57/7 [RR: 6.33, 4s/6s: 4/2]

Obed McCoy played his introductory World Cup Game, replacing Romario Shepherd, and took three wickets. Gudakesh Motie also got a key wicket early on. McCoy‘s wickets included Hazratullah Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, and Mohammad Nabi. Afghanistan grappled and got deprived of more wickets rapidly, inclusive of Omarzai and Janat, leaving them in a tough spot.

Death Overs - 12/2 [RR: 9.00, 4s/6s: 1/1]

In only eight balls, Alzarri Joseph bowled a bouncer that got Naveen out. Then, Andre Russell got Rashid out by catching his hit at long–off.

Summary of Scores:

The West Indies scored 218 runs with Nicholas Pooran making 98. Afghanistan scored 114 runs, with Ibrahim Zadran making 38. The West Indies won by 104 runs.