Pooran 98, McCoy three-for blow Afghanistan away
Cricket
It's been a T20 World Cup for the bowlers, but Nicholas Pooran set the tone early for a dominant batting display from West Indies as they thrashed Afghanistan to finish the group stage with a perfect record. He tore into Azmatullah Omarzai in the powerplay, who leaked a world record 36 runs in an over. And that was a blow Afghanistan never quite recovered from.
Pooran's 98 off just 53 balls helped West Indies to 218 for 5, which was 104 too many for Afghanistan in the last group match of the T20 World Cup 2024.
The result had little bearing on the Super Eight seedings that were pre-decided with both teams already cementing their spots. Afghanistan were blown away in the chase to be dismissed for 114, with all the five bowlers the hosts used sharing the spoils.
It was the highest total for West Indies in men's T20 World Cups, and Pooran, who hit eight sixes in his stay, surpassed Chris Gayle to become the leading six-hitter for them in T20Is.
Two balls were all Pooran needed to get his eyes in on a belter of a pitch in Gros Islet. He signaled his arrival with a record 36-run over against Azmatullah Omarzai, in which he hit three sixes and two fours, including one off a no-ball.
Afghanistan generally turn to Mujeeb Ur Rahman for control in the powerplay. But with him out injured, Rashid Khan had to bring himself on in the powerplay for the first time this T20 World Cup. He was welcomed with a couple of fours as West Indies finished the powerplay on 92 for 1, the highest score in the first six overs in men's T20 World Cups.
– Cricinfo
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Super 8 Stage
Group 1: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, England, India.
Group 2: Australia, South Africa, USA, Windies.
Four of the Super 8 qualifiers have won the World Cup previously, namely India, England, West Indies and Australia.
Super 8 Fixtures (Namibian time)
Wednesday 19 June
16:30 South Africa vs USA @ Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua
Thursday 20 June
02:30 England vs Windies @ Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia
16:30 Afghanistan vs India @ Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados
Friday 21 June
02:30 Australia vs Bangladesh @ Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua
16:30 England vs South Africa @ Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia
Saturday 22 June
02:30 USA vs Windies @ Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados
16:30 India vs Bangladesh @ Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua
Sunday 23 June
02:30 Afghanistan vs Australia @ Arnos Vale Ground, Arnos Vale, St Vincent
16:30 USA vs England @ Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados
Monday 24 June
02:30 Windies vs South Africa @ Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua
16:30 Australia vs India @ Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia
Tuesday 25 June
02:30 Afghanistan vs Bangladesh @ Arnos Vale Ground, Arnos Vale, St Vincent