Cricket is more than just a game in many parts of the world—it’s a passion, a celebration, and a way of life. On June 17, 2024, the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St. Lucia, came alive with excitement as the West Indies Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard in the 40th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. This Group C clash was a spectacle of power-hitting, skillful bowling, and a vibrant Caribbean atmosphere. Both teams had already qualified for the Super 8s, but this match was about momentum, pride, and topping the group. Let’s dive into the details of this unforgettable game, breaking down the scorecard, key moments, and what made this match so special.
The Build-Up to the Match
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the scorecard, let’s set the scene. The West Indies, co-hosts of the 2024 T20 World Cup, were riding high. They had won all three of their previous group matches, showcasing their dominance in familiar home conditions. Afghanistan, on the other hand, were the tournament’s dark horses. Known for their spin-heavy attack led by Rashid Khan, they too were unbeaten in Group C, making this a battle of titans.
The Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, named after the West Indies’ legendary T20 captain, was buzzing with anticipation. The pitch was known for favoring batsmen, with short boundaries and a true surface that promised runs. The toss was crucial, and Afghanistan’s captain Rashid Khan opted to bowl first, hoping to exploit early swing and restrict the West Indies’ explosive batting lineup. Little did he know, the West Indies had other plans.
West Indies Innings: A Record-Breaking Batting Display
The West Indies’ batting was nothing short of spectacular. They posted a massive 218/5 in their 20 overs, setting multiple records in the process. Let’s break down their innings and see how they built this towering total.
Powerplay Fireworks
The West Indies’ openers, Brandon King and Johnson Charles, walked out to a roaring crowd. Afghanistan’s leading wicket-taker, Fazalhaq Farooqi, took the new ball, but the West Indies batsmen were unfazed. They started aggressively, with Charles smashing three boundaries in the third over. The real fireworks came in the fourth over, bowled by Azmatullah Omarzai. Nicholas Pooran, who came in after King’s early dismissal for 7, unleashed an onslaught. The over went for 36 runs, including three sixes, a no-ball, and five wides—equalling the record for the most expensive over in T20 World Cup history.
By the end of the powerplay (6 overs), the West Indies had raced to 92/1, the highest powerplay score in men’s T20 World Cup history. Johnson Charles was in fine form, scoring 43 off 27 balls before being dismissed in the eighth over. His knock included eight fours, setting the stage for what was to come.
Nicholas Pooran’s Masterclass
If there was one name that defined this match, it was Nicholas Pooran. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman played an innings for the ages, scoring 98 off 53 balls. His knock was a blend of power and precision, featuring six fours and eight massive sixes. Pooran’s aggression was relentless, and he reached his fifty in just 31 balls. He also crossed the 2000-run mark in T20Is during this innings, becoming the first West Indies batter to achieve this milestone.
Pooran’s partnership with Charles yielded 80 runs in just six overs, and he continued to dominate even after Charles’ departure. Shai Hope, who replaced Roston Chase in the lineup, chipped in with a quick 25 off 17 balls, including two sixes. Captain Rovman Powell also joined the party, smashing 26 off 15 balls with one four and two sixes. Pooran was unlucky to miss out on a century, run out for 98 in the final over due to a brilliant direct hit by Omarzai.
The West Indies finished their 20 overs at 218/5, their highest total in T20 World Cup history and the tournament’s highest score at that point. Afghanistan’s bowlers struggled, with only Gulbadin Naib managing to keep things tight, finishing with 2/14 in two overs. Rashid Khan, usually a trump card, went wicketless, conceding 45 runs in his four overs.
Afghanistan’s Chase: A Mountain Too High
Chasing 219 was always going to be a daunting task, especially against a West Indies side brimming with confidence. Afghanistan needed a strong start, but the West Indies bowlers had other ideas.
Early Blows and Powerplay Struggles
Akeal Hosein opened the bowling for the West Indies and struck gold in the first over. Afghanistan’s in-form opener, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, was dismissed for a duck, caught by Andre Russell off just three balls. This early wicket set the tone, and Afghanistan struggled to recover. By the end of the powerplay, they were 45/1, with Gulbadin Naib and Ibrahim Zadran trying to stabilize the innings.
However, the West Indies’ spinners, Hosein and Gudakesh Motie, kept the pressure on. Naib fell for 7, and Zadran was dismissed for 38, leaving Afghanistan at 59/4 by the eighth over. The required run rate was climbing, and the Afghan batters were forced to take risks.
Middle-Order Collapse
Obed McCoy, playing his first match of the tournament, proved to be the X-factor for the West Indies. His three-over spell yielded 3 wickets for just 14 runs, dismantling Afghanistan’s middle order. Azmatullah Omarzai (23 off 19) and Karim Janat (14 off 8) showed some fight, hitting a few boundaries and sixes, but their dismissals in quick succession ended any hopes of a miracle.
By the drinks break, Afghanistan were reeling at 66/5. The West Indies bowlers maintained their discipline, with Motie and Hosein picking up two wickets each. Andre Russell sealed the deal, dismissing Rashid Khan for 18 in the 16th over. Afghanistan were bowled out for 114 in 16.2 overs, handing the West Indies a resounding 104-run victory.
Key Performers and Records
This match was a showcase of West Indies’ dominance and Afghanistan’s resilience, despite the loss. Here are the standout performers and records set during the game:
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Nicholas Pooran (Player of the Match): His 98 off 53 balls was the highest individual score of the tournament at that point. He also surpassed Chris Gayle’s record for the most sixes by a West Indies batter in T20Is (128 sixes) and became the sixth batter to hit over 500 sixes in T20 cricket.
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Obed McCoy: The left-arm pacer’s 3/14 in three overs was a game-changer, earning him praise from captain Rovman Powell.
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West Indies’ Powerplay: Their 92/1 in the powerplay was the highest in T20 World Cup history.
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36-Run Over: Pooran’s assault in the fourth over tied the record for the most expensive over in T20 World Cup history.
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Highest Team Total: The West Indies’ 218/5 was their highest in T20 World Cups and the fourth-highest overall in the tournament’s history.
West Indies Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, T20 World Cup 2024
Below is the detailed West Indies Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, capturing every key moment of the game.
|
Team |
Innings |
Score |
Overs |
Key Performers |
Fall of Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
West Indies |
Batting |
218/5 | 20.0 |
Nicholas Pooran (98 off 53, 6×4, 8×6), Johnson Charles (43 off 27, 8×4), Shai Hope (25 off 17, 2×6), Rovman Powell (26 off 15, 1×4, 2×6) |
22/1 (Brandon King, 1.5), 102/2 (Johnson Charles, 8.0), 135/3 (Shai Hope, 12.1), 199/4 (Rovman Powell, 18.3), 215/5 (Nicholas Pooran, 19.4) |
|
Afghanistan |
Batting |
114/10 | 16.2 |
Ibrahim Zadran (38 off 28, 5×4, 1×6), Azmatullah Omarzai (23 off 19, 1×4, 1×6), Rashid Khan (18 off 11, 1×4, 1×6) |
0/1 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 0.3), 45/2 (Gulbadin Naib, 6.2), 59/3 (Ibrahim Zadran, 7.4), 59/4 (Najibullah Zadran, 8.0), 63/5 (Mohammad Nabi, 9.2), 89/6 (Azmatullah Omarzai, 12.3), 89/7 (Karim Janat, 12.5), 98/8 (Noor Ahmad, 14.1), 107/9 (Naveen-ul-Haq, 15.4), 114/10 (Rashid Khan, 16.2) |
|
West Indies Bowling |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Akeal Hosein |
4 | 1 | 21 | 2 | 5.25 |
|
Andre Russell |
2.2 | 0 | 17 | 1 | 7.28 |
|
Alzarri Joseph |
3 | 0 | 30 | 1 | 10.00 |
|
Gudakesh Motie |
4 | 0 | 28 | 2 | 7.00 |
|
Obed McCoy |
3 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 4.66 |
|
Afghanistan Bowling |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fazalhaq Farooqi |
3 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 12.66 |
|
Naveen-ul-Haq |
4 | 0 | 41 | 1 | 10.25 |
|
Azmatullah Omarzai |
2 | 0 | 41 | 1 | 20.50 |
|
Rashid Khan |
4 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 11.25 |
|
Noor Ahmad |
4 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 5.00 |
|
Mohammad Nabi |
1 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 18.00 |
|
Gulbadin Naib |
2 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 7.00 |
Result: West Indies won by 104 runs.
Player of the Match: Nicholas Pooran (98 off 53 balls).
Venue: Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St. Lucia.
Date: June 17, 2024.
What Made This Match Special?
This match was more than just a game—it was a statement. The West Indies, cheered on by a passionate home crowd, showed why they are considered one of the favorites to win the T20 World Cup. Their batting was explosive, their bowling was disciplined, and their fielding was sharp. Nicholas Pooran’s 98 was a reminder of his class, while Obed McCoy’s bowling showed the depth in their squad.
For Afghanistan, the loss was a learning curve. As Rashid Khan noted, conceding over 90 runs in the powerplay was tough to recover from, but their middle-over bowling showed fight. The match gave them valuable insights into handling high-pressure chases, which would serve them well in the Super 8s.
Quotes from the Captains and Player of the Match
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Nicholas Pooran (Player of the Match): “You don’t want to be on 97 and get run out, but it was all about reaching a respectable total. I assessed the conditions early on, and I felt it was my day. We’ve been consistent as a team for the last 12-14 months, and it’s showing.”
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Rovman Powell (West Indies Captain): “It feels good to finish unbeaten. The guys were excited to play in St. Lucia, one of the best batting wickets in the tournament. Nicholas Pooran has worked hard, and it’s great to see him score runs for the West Indies.”
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Rashid Khan (Afghanistan Captain): “The way they started in the powerplay was incredible, but we fought hard to restrict them to under 220. It’s good that this happened at this stage of the tournament, and we’ll learn from it.”
Looking Ahead: Super 8s and Beyond
This victory cemented the West Indies as Group C toppers with a perfect record of four wins. They carried their momentum into the Super 8s, where they faced England on June 20. Afghanistan, despite the loss, qualified for the Super 8s as the second-placed team in Group C. Both teams showed their quality, but the West Indies’ performance in this match sent a clear message to their rivals: they were a force to be reckoned with.
Why This Match Matters for Fans
For fans, this match was a rollercoaster of emotions. The West Indies’ power-hitting, led by Pooran’s near-century, was a treat to watch. The electric atmosphere in St. Lucia, with fans dancing and cheering, added to the spectacle. For Afghanistan supporters, it was a tough day, but their team’s resilience in the face of a massive target was inspiring.
This game also highlighted the beauty of T20 cricket—fast-paced, unpredictable, and full of drama. Whether you’re a young fan just learning the game or a seasoned cricket lover, matches like these remind us why we love the sport.
Conclusion
The West Indies Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard in the T20 World Cup 2024 was a masterclass in T20 cricket. The West Indies’ record-breaking batting, led by Nicholas Pooran’s explosive 98, set the stage for a dominant 104-run victory. Afghanistan fought hard but couldn’t keep up with the hosts’ relentless attack. The detailed scorecard above captures every key moment, from the 36-run over to McCoy’s fiery spell.
