West Indies Dominate with Bat and Ball in Record-breaking Win
The T20 World Cup 2024 just got a serious shake-up. West Indies showed real firepower in their last Group C game, crushing Afghanistan by a whopping 104 runs in Gros Islet. Fans were treated to the tournament's highest-scoring batting display so far, as the hosts blasted 218 for 5 and then bowled Afghanistan out for just 114. With that win, West Indies head to the Super 8s unbeaten and fired up, looking every bit the title contenders.
The night belonged to Nicholas Pooran, who played the sort of innings that gets crowds buzzing. He slapped the Afghanistan bowlers around for a stunning 98 off just 53 balls — missing out on a century but leaving a mark with eight sixes and six fours. Pooran set the tone in the powerplay, taking down Naveen-ul-Haq for 36 in a single over, with three sixes and three boundaries in one brutal assault. His aggression didn’t let up even in the death overs, pulling the Caribbean side past their previous highest T20 World Cup score and making them look unstoppable on home turf.
Afghanistan Stumble, Looking to Regroup for Super 8
Chasing 219 was always going to be a tall order, but Afghanistan’s hopes unraveled almost immediately. Obed McCoy, coming into the side, struck early and often, grabbing 3 wickets for just 14 runs and dashing any thoughts of a fairytale chase. Afghanistan’s openers fell to the pressure, and the rest of the lineup couldn’t keep up with the required rate. The whole team was back in the pavilion before 17 overs were done, with none of the batters able to stick around long enough to trouble the hosts.
Afghanistan's captain Rashid Khan didn't shy away from the loss. He pointed to West Indies’ fierce start and depth with the bat, stressing that facing their style was a learning moment. He explained that his squad, though already qualified for the Super 8 after earlier wins, would need to adapt quickly to the different conditions if they want to go deep in the tournament. Rashid especially underlined the importance of learning how to counter teams that attack hard early on, something the Afghans will surely work on before tougher tests ahead.
For West Indies, the story so far is about consistency. They've won every group game, and their fearless approach — with Pooran leading the charge this time — has given them massive momentum. As other teams watch replays of this match, a message rings clear: underestimate West Indies in this format at your peril.
