KATHMANDU: In a high-stakes conclusion to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup’s first round, the West Indies showcased a record-breaking performance against Afghanistan at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia.

The two unbeaten Group C teams faced off, with the winner poised to carry significant momentum into the Super Eights.

Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision they might soon regret.

The West Indies lineup, bolstered by a few changes, included Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Shai Hope, Rovman Powell (c), Sherfane Rutherford, Andre Russell, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, and Obed McCoy.

Afghanistan fielded an unchanged side with Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Explosive Start for West Indies

The match began with a bang as the West Indies, undeterred by the early loss of Brandon King (7 off 6), saw Johnson Charles and Nicholas Pooran ignite the innings.

Charles set the tone with three boundaries in the third over, inspiring Pooran to produce a jaw-dropping 36-run over off Azmatullah Omarzai – a feat only accomplished five times in Men’s T20I history.

Pooran’s explosive display included two sixes, two boundaries, and capitalizing on no-balls and wides.

By the end of the Powerplay, West Indies had reached 92/1, marking the highest Powerplay total in Men’s T20 World Cup history.

This explosive start surpassed previous records, with the second-highest being 91 by the Netherlands against Ireland in 2014.

Middle Overs Momentum

Despite the dismissal of Charles (43 off 27) in the eighth over, West Indies continued their onslaught, reaching 113/2 by drinks.

Shai Hope’s brisk 25 off 17 helped maintain a high run rate, and Pooran continued his fine form, reaching his first T20 World Cup half-century in the 14th over off just 31 balls.

However, Afghanistan managed to momentarily stifle the West Indies’ scoring, with no boundaries coming off overs 12 to 15.

But Rovman Powell’s timely six in the 16th over pushed the score past 150, rekindling the momentum.

Finishing with a Flourish

The West Indies innings crescendoed in the final overs, with Pooran smashing 24 runs off Rashid Khan in the 18th over.

Powell’s departure for 26 off 15 brought Andre Russell to the crease, who focused on getting Pooran back on strike.

Starting the final over needing 15 runs for a century, Pooran hit two consecutive sixes before being run out for 98 off 53 balls, the highest individual score of the tournament so far.

The West Indies finished at 218/5, the highest total in this T20 World Cup and their best in T20 World Cup history. They set several records, including:

Highest total of Men’s 2024 T20 World Cup

Highest individual innings of Men’s 2024 T20 World Cup

Highest Powerplay in Men’s T20 World Cup history

Highest total for West Indies in Men’s T20 World Cups

Equal most runs conceded in one over in Men’s T20 World Cup history

Second highest team total against Afghanistan in Men’s T20I history

Nicholas Pooran also surpassed Chris Gayle for the most sixes by a West Indies player in Men’s T20I history, capping off a remarkable day for the Windies.

With this commanding performance, the West Indies carry significant momentum into the Super Eights.

The energetic conclusion to the first round sets a high bar for the remainder of the tournament, with fans eagerly anticipating what the next stage will bring.