2024-08-24 23:12:33
raft: West Indies achieved the highest successful run chase in T20 cricket at Brian Lara Stadium and won the first match of the three-match series against South Africa. The biggest hero of this stormy victory of the host West Indies was Nicholas Pooran, who played a blistering innings of 65 runs in just 26 balls. South Africa lost the toss and batted first and scored 174 runs losing seven wickets, in reply West Indies won the match by seven wickets 13 balls earlier. Apart from Pooran, opener Shai Hope played an innings of 51 runs in 36 balls. Now the second match of the series will be played on 25 August at 12:30 am (26 August as per Indian time).
four sixes in a row
With West Indies needing 70 runs from 54 balls to win, Pooran got the chance to finish quickly when Nandre Burger was brought back into the attack in the 12th over. With Hope off strike, Burger tried a slower delivery to Pooran who had enough time to hit him for a 77-metre six straight over long-off. Burger’s next delivery was also off the pace and proved to be a full-toss and Pooran smashed it over midwicket into the stands. The next two balls were fast and Pooran had an eye on them. He hit Burger for two more sixes to bring the equation down to 45 runs from 48 balls. West Indies lost a few wickets but eventually achieved the target easily.
Stubbs’ 76 off 42 balls went in vain
After winning the toss and deciding to field first, the match was delayed by an hour as heavy rain continued to disrupt the match. West Indies took control of the match when South Africa were 42 for 5 after eight overs. But from here, Patrick Kruger and Tristan Stubbs (76 off 42 balls) shared 71 runs in 50 balls for the sixth wicket. Earlier, Stubbs and Bjorn Fortuin added 60 runs in 25 balls for the seventh wicket to take the score forward rapidly. Playing his third T20 match, Matthew Ford equaled his career best performance with 3 wickets for 27 runs.