ICC Men's Twenty20 World Cup, St Lucia
West Indies 218-5 (20 overs): Pooran 98 (53), Charles 43 (27); Gulbadin 2-14
Afghanistan 114 (16.2 overs): Ibrahim 38 (28); McCoy 3-14
West Indies won by 104 runs
Nicholas Pooran hit a stunning 98 as West Indies prepared for a Super 8s match against England at the T20 World Cup with a 104-run victory over Afghanistan.
With both sides already through to the next stage, co-hosts West Indies dispatched a much-fancied Afghanistan side with a statement win in St Lucia.
Pooran's eight sixes helped the co-hosts rack up 218-5 – the highest score of the tournament so far. They were 85-1 after five overs with 36 runs coming from the fourth, including three Pooran sixes, a no-ball and five wides – equalling the record for the most expensive over in men's T20s.
Having taken down Afghan superstar Rashid Khan, left-hander Pooran was run out in the final over desperately trying to keep the strike in search of three figures. But West Indies dominance continued into Afghanistan's chase when Akeal Hosein had Rahmanullah Gurbaz caught for a three-ball duck in a wicket maiden to start.
From there the hosts found breakthroughs regularly and Afghanistan were bowled out for 114 in 16.2 overs. Obed McCoy took three wickets and spinners Akeal and Gudakesh Motie two apiece.
The victory concludes the initial group stage of this compelling World Cup, which now moves on to its second phase with eight teams battling across two groups to secure a semi-final place.
West Indies and England meet on Wednesday at this ground.
