West Indies Flex Muscles, Set Daunting Target for England
In a thrilling display of cricketing prowess, the West Indies showcased why they are widely tipped as favorites to win the ongoing T20 World Cup. Roaring on a raucous home crowd, the Caribbean side set a new record for the highest powerplay score in the tournament’s history, ultimately posting their highest-ever total.
The boundaries from the West Indian batters were a mix of finesse and fortune, with Nicholas Pooran’s first four being a streaky shot that flew over the third-man rope. Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi, the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, was not spared, conceding 28 runs in his first two overs, while Azmatullah Omarzai endured an even more punishing fate in the fourth over.
Pooran’s innings was a showcase of calculated aggression, as he combined with Johnson Charles (43) and Rovman Powell to put on substantial partnerships. The left-hander’s onslaught reached its peak in the 18th over, where he plundered 24 runs off Rashid Khan, including three towering leg-side sixes. Although he narrowly missed out on a maiden T20 hundred for the West Indies, his contribution laid the foundation for a formidable total.
The West Indies’ all-round performance with the ball was equally impressive, with their spinners, pace options, and exceptional fielding highlighting the team’s well-rounded capabilities. As they prepare to face England, the West Indies will enter the contest riding a wave of eight consecutive T20 victories, further cementing their status as the team to beat in this tournament.
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