Pooran blasts 98 as West Indies claims 104-runs win over Afghanistan

GROS ISLET: Nicholas Pooran scored 98 runs from 53 balls as the West Indies made 218-5 and beat Afghanistan by 104 runs on Monday in the final group stage match of T20 World Cup at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia on Tuesday.

Both teams already had qualified for the Super Eight stage but the West Indies finished unbeaten and atop Group C.

Obed McCoy took 3-14 as Afghanistan was bowled out for 114 in 16.2 overs. The West Indies will play their first Super Eight match against the United States on Wednesday.

Pooran’s total was the highest individual total at the tournament and carried him past 2,000 runs in T20 internationals. He hit eight sixes and six fours in an explosive innings which propelled the West Indies to the highest team total at the tournament.

After five overs the West Indies were 85-1 and 92-1 at the end of the six-over power play, the highest total in a power play in T20 World Cup history.

Pooran was unlucky to miss out on a well-deserved ton after he was run out while completing the second run in the final over. He smashed six fours and eight maximums.

Johnson Charles contributed 43 runs in 27 balls with the help of eight fours.

Gulbadin Naib bagged figures of 2-14, while Azmatullah Omarzai and Naveen-ul-Haq claimed one wicket each.

Both teams had already qualified for the Super 8 after winning their first three matches in Group C.

Pacer Romario Shepherd had left the West Indies camp to be present for the birth of his second child ahead of today’s match. He will return to the squad tomorrow. He was replaced by Obed McCoy. Meanwhile, Afghanistan were unchanged.