Maintaining their wining streak in the T20 World Cup, the West Indies overpowered Afghanistan by 104 runs at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia on Monday. Electing to bat first, the West Indies amassed a formidable 218/5 in their allotted 20 overs, subsequently dismissing Afghanistan for a mere 114 in 16.2 overs.
West Indies began their innings with a setback as Brandon King was dismissed cheaply in the second over. However, Johnson Charles (43 off 27) and Nicholas Pooran (98 off 53) crafted a robust 80-run partnership for the second wicket. Contributions from Shai Hope (25 off 17) and Rovman Powell (26 off 15) bolstered the score after Pooran’s explosive innings.
Gulbadin Naib was the standout bowler for Afghanistan, claiming 2 wickets for 14 runs in 2 overs. Azmatullah Omarzai (2-0-41-1) and Naveen-ul-Haq (4-0-41-1) also took wickets but proved costly. 
Afghanistan’s chase faltered from the outset, with their batsmen failing to form substantial partnerships and losing wickets at regular intervals. Ibrahim Zadran (38 off 28) showed promise but fell to Obed McCoy in the 8th over. Azmatullah Omarzai (23 off 19), Karim Janat (14 off 9), and Rashid Khan (18 off 11) were the only other batsmen to reach double digits. The feeble batting display led to Afghanistan’s dismissal for a paltry total of 114.
Obed McCoy excelled with the ball, finishing with figures of 3-0-14-3. Akeal Hosein (4-1-21-2), Gudakesh Motie (4-0-28-2), Andre Russell (2.2-0-17-1), and Alzarri Joseph (3-0-30-1) also contributed significantly with their bowling.
Key Moments of the Match
Azmatullah Omarzai Provides an Early Breakthrough
Sharing the new ball with Farooqi, Omarzai was initially met with a boundary by Brandon King. However, he had the last laugh, dismissing King with a seam-back delivery on the fifth ball, giving his side an early advantage.
Omarzai Matches Broad’s Unwanted Record
In the fourth over, Nicholas Pooran unleashed a barrage of 3 sixes and 2 fours against Omarzai, including a no-ball. Omarzai conceded 36 runs in that over, equaling Broad’s unenviable T20 World Cup record.
Nicky P Falls Agonizingly Short of His Century
Pooran played a scintillating innings, striking Afghani bowlers all around the park. On the verge of a century, he fell short by 2 runs, run out attempting a second run off a full toss in the final over.
Akeal Hosein Strikes in the First Over
Hosein, a consistent wicket-taker with the new ball, removed the in-form Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck in the opening over. Gurbaz’s mistimed shot off a low full toss was caught by Andre Russell at mid-on.
Obed McCoy Grabs the Opportunity
Brought into the squad to replace the injured Jason Holder, McCoy made an immediate impact in his first match of the tournament. He claimed three wickets in the span of 8 balls, demonstrating his value to the team.
Tournament Progress
With three wins in four games, Afghanistan finished second in Group C. They now join Group A alongside India, Australia, and Bangladesh, facing India next on June 20 in Barbados.
West Indies, unbeaten in the Group Stage, winning all four matches, are placed in Group B with USA, England, and South Africa. Their Super Eight campaign starts on June 19 against England at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia.
