The West Indies cricket team exhibited a clinical display of explosive batting in their final Group C match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, held on Monday, June 17 in Saint Lucia. The co-hosts set the stage on fire by registering their highest team total in tournament history, making the day a record-breaking extravaganza. The West Indies not only equaled the record for the most runs scored in an over in a T20 World Cup (36), but also smashed the highest score in the powerplay in the tournament’s history (92), going on to post the joint-fourth highest team score in the competition.
The star of the show for West Indies was Nicholas Pooran, the former white-ball skipper, who narrowly missed a well-deserved century, being run out for 98. Pooran crafted sizeable partnerships with Johnson Charles, Shai Hope, and captain Rovman Powell, propelling West Indies to an immense total of 218 runs. This total came after Afghanistan’s captain Rashid Khan won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision that did not quite work out as he had hoped.
The achievements of the West Indies during this match were staggering. They recorded the highest powerplay score in the history of the T20 World Cup, racking up 92 runs for the loss of one wicket. This eclipsed the previous record held by the Netherlands, who scored 91 for one against Ireland in Sylhet in 2014. Other notable high powerplay scores in T20 World Cup history include England’s 89 for three against South Africa in Mumbai in 2016, South Africa’s 83 for no loss against England also in Mumbai in 2016, and India’s 82 for two against Scotland in Dubai in 2021.
The West Indies’ final score of 218 for five places them among the highest-ever totals in the T20 World Cup. The ultimate highest team score in the tournament is 260 for six by Sri Lanka against Kenya in Johannesburg in 2007, followed by England’s 230 for eight against South Africa in Mumbai in 2016, and South Africa’s 229 for four against England, also in Mumbai in 2016. India’s 218 for four against England in Durban in 2007 is another notable high score, now matched by the West Indies’ 218 for five against Afghanistan in this game.
This was also the highest team score ever registered by the West Indies in the T20 World Cup, surpassing their previous highs of 205 for six against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2007 and 205 for four against Australia in Colombo in 2012.
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The West Indies’ power and depth in the batting lineup were fully showcased in Saint Lucia. After playing on slower surfaces in Guyana and Trinidad, they unleashed their might and reminded everyone of their potential as they head into the Super 8 stage. The crowd at the Daren Sammy National Stadium in Gros Islet was treated to a masterclass in T20 batting as the West Indian batsmen took advantage of the conditions and the short boundaries.
None of the Afghanistan bowlers could contain the onslaught, including their leading wicket-taker Fazalhaq Farooqi. The West Indian batsmen took charge from the outset and never relinquished control of the game. Boundaries and sixes rained down on the packed stadium as Pooran, Charles, Hope, and Powell all made significant contributions. Pooran’s near-century was the highlight, and despite falling just short of his hundred, his innings was filled with exquisite stroke play and brutal power hitting.
In the aftermath of their record-breaking performance, the West Indies have issued a statement of intent to the other teams in the tournament. They have shown that they are capable of posting mammoth totals and have the batting firepower to dominate any bowling attack. As they move into the Super 8 stage, other teams will be wary of the threat posed by the hosts.
Related stories from this remarkable day of cricket include Lockie Ferguson’s record-breaking performance for New Zealand against Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand ending their T20 World Cup campaign with a consolation victory over PNG in Trent Boult’s final T20 World Cup match. West Indies’ 36-run over against Afghanistan, equaling the tournament record for most runs in an over, further underlined the extraordinary events of the day.
In conclusion, the West Indies’ awe-inspiring display of batting and record-setting achievements have not only thrilled their fans but have also set a high bar for other teams in the T20 World Cup. As they progress further in the tournament, all eyes will be on the Caribbean team to see if they can continue their scintillating form and secure more victories.
