Cricket is more than just a game in places like the Caribbean and Afghanistan—it’s a passion that brings people together, young and old, to cheer for their heroes. On June 17, 2024, at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St. Lucia, the West Indies Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard in a T20 World Cup group stage match that had fans on the edge of their seats. This wasn’t just any game; it was a clash of two teams already qualified for the Super Eight stage, both fighting to top Group C with a statement win. Let’s dive into the action, break down the scorecard, and relive the moments that made this match unforgettable.
The Stage is Set
Picture this: a warm Caribbean evening, the stands buzzing with fans waving flags, and the pitch at Daren Sammy Stadium gleaming under the floodlights. Both teams were unbeaten in the tournament, and this match was their chance to flex their muscles before the knockout rounds. The West Indies, co-hosts of the tournament, were riding a wave of confidence with their explosive batting lineup. Afghanistan, known for their disciplined bowling and fearless spirit, were ready to challenge the home favorites.
Afghanistan’s captain, Rashid Khan, won the toss and chose to bowl first, hoping to restrict the West Indies on a pitch known for favoring batsmen. The Windies made two changes to their lineup: Obed McCoy replaced Romario Shepherd, who was absent due to the birth of his second child, and Shai Hope came in for Roston Chase. Afghanistan stuck with their unchanged XI, trusting their core group to deliver.
West Indies’ Batting: A Record-Breaking Show
From the moment the West Indies openers walked out, you could feel the energy. Brandon King and Johnson Charles started the innings, but King fell early for 7 runs off 6 balls, caught off a delivery from Azmatullah Omarzai. That early wicket didn’t faze the Windies, though. Charles and Nicholas Pooran took charge, and what followed was pure fireworks.
The duo put on a jaw-dropping 80-run partnership in just six overs. Charles smashed 43 runs off 27 balls, including three boundaries in a single over, while Pooran was in a league of his own. His 98 runs off 53 balls was the kind of knock that makes you sit up and take notice. He peppered the boundary with six fours and eight sixes, reaching his fifty in just 31 balls—his first half-century in a T20 World Cup. The powerplay was historic: West Indies scored 92 runs in the first six overs, the highest powerplay total ever in a T20 World Cup.
After Charles was dismissed, Shai Hope kept the momentum going with a quick 25 off 17 balls. Captain Rovman Powell chipped in with 26 off 15, and Andre Russell added a late flourish. By the end of their 20 overs, West Indies had posted a mammoth 218 for 5—the highest total in their T20 World Cup history. Afghanistan’s bowlers struggled, with Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai picking up two wickets each, but the runs flowed freely.
Afghanistan’s Chase: A Tough Ask
Chasing 219 was always going to be a mountain to climb, especially against a West Indies bowling attack firing on all cylinders. Afghanistan needed their top order to deliver, but things went south quickly. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, their explosive opener, was out for a duck off just three balls, caught by Andre Russell off Akeal Hosein’s bowling. That early blow set the tone.
Gulbadin Naib and Ibrahim Zadran tried to steady the ship, reaching 45 for 1 by the end of the powerplay. But the Windies bowlers, led by Obed McCoy, Akeal Hosein, and Gudakesh Motie, turned the screws. McCoy, playing his first match of the tournament, was sensational, taking 3 wickets for 25 runs in his three overs. Hosein and Motie, with their spin, choked the Afghan middle order, each picking up key wickets.
By the halfway mark, Afghanistan were struggling at 66 for 5. Karim Janat and Azmatullah Omarzai showed some fight, hitting a few sixes, but the required run rate kept climbing. When Omarzai fell for 23, the writing was on the wall. Afghanistan were bowled out for 114 in 16.2 overs, handing West Indies a massive 104-run victory. Nicholas Pooran was named Player of the Match for his stunning 98, but the bowlers deserved plenty of credit too.
The West Indies Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard: Breaking It Down
Let’s take a closer look at the numbers that tell the story of this match. Below is the full scorecard, laid out clearly so everyone can follow along.
West Indies Batting
|
Batsman |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Brandon King |
7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 116.67 |
c Omarzai b Naveen |
|
Johnson Charles |
43 | 27 | 8 | 0 | 159.26 |
c Gurbaz b Naib |
|
Nicholas Pooran |
98 | 53 | 6 | 8 | 184.91 |
run out (Omarzai) |
|
Shai Hope |
25 | 17 | 0 | 2 | 147.06 |
c Nabi b Omarzai |
|
Rovman Powell (c) |
26 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 173.33 |
c Nabi b Naib |
|
Andre Russell |
14 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 155.56 |
not out |
|
Sherfane Rutherford |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
not out |
|
Extras |
4 |
(lb 1, w 3) |
||||
|
Total |
218/5 |
20 overs |
RR: 10.90 |
Did Not Bat: Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Obed McCoy
Fall of Wickets: 22/1 (1.5 ov, King), 102/2 (8 ov, Charles), 135/3 (12.1 ov, Hope), 199/4 (18.3 ov, Powell), 215/5 (19.4 ov, Pooran)
Afghanistan Bowling
|
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fazalhaq Farooqi |
3 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 12.67 | 0 |
|
Naveen-ul-Haq |
4 | 0 | 41 | 1 | 10.25 | 1 |
|
Azmatullah Omarzai |
4 | 0 | 41 | 2 | 10.25 | 0 |
|
Rashid Khan |
4 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 11.25 | 1 |
|
Noor Ahmad |
2 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 10.00 | 0 |
|
Gulbadin Naib |
2 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 7.00 | 0 |
|
Mohammad Nabi |
1 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 18.00 | 0 |
Afghanistan Batting
|
Batsman |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
c Russell b Hosein |
|
Ibrahim Zadran |
38 | 28 | 5 | 1 | 135.71 |
c Charles b McCoy |
|
Gulbadin Naib |
7 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 70.00 |
c Hope b Motie |
|
Azmatullah Omarzai |
23 | 19 | 1 | 1 | 121.05 |
c Powell b McCoy |
|
Najibullah Zadran |
5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 166.67 |
c King b Hosein |
|
Mohammad Nabi |
1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 25.00 |
c Russell b Motie |
|
Karim Janat |
14 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 82.35 |
c Hope b Joseph |
|
Rashid Khan (c) |
7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
c Pooran b Russell |
|
Noor Ahmad |
2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
c Rutherford b Joseph |
|
Naveen-ul-Haq |
4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 80.00 |
b McCoy |
|
Fazalhaq Farooqi |
0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
not out |
|
Extras |
13 |
(lb 4, w 9) |
||||
|
Total |
114/10 |
16.2 overs |
RR: 7.02 |
Fall of Wickets: 0/1 (0.3 ov, Gurbaz), 45/2 (6.2 ov, Naib), 59/3 (7.4 ov, Zadran), 59/4 (8 ov, Zadran), 63/5 (9.2 ov, Nabi), 89/6 (12.4 ov, Omarzai), 98/7 (13.5 ov, Janat), 100/8 (14.2 ov, Ahmad), 112/9 (15.4 ov, Khan), 114/10 (16.2 ov, Naveen)
West Indies Bowling
|
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Akeal Hosein |
4 | 1 | 21 | 2 | 5.25 | 0 |
|
Andre Russell |
2.2 | 0 | 17 | 1 | 7.29 | 2 |
|
Alzarri Joseph |
3 | 0 | 30 | 2 | 10.00 | 2 |
|
Gudakesh Motie |
4 | 0 | 28 | 2 | 7.00 | 0 |
|
Obed McCoy |
3 | 0 | 25 | 3 | 8.33 | 2 |
Result: West Indies won by 104 runs
Player of the Match: Nicholas Pooran (98 off 53 balls)
Venue: Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St. Lucia
Date: June 17, 2024
Key Moments That Defined the Match
This game had it all—big hits, brilliant catches, and game-changing spells. Here are some highlights that stood out:
-
The Powerplay Explosion: West Indies’ 92 runs in the first six overs set a T20 World Cup record. Pooran and Charles were unstoppable, with Pooran’s back-to-back sixes off Naveen-ul-Haq sending the crowd into a frenzy.
-
Pooran’s Near-Century: Nicholas Pooran’s 98 was the heartbeat of the innings. His dismissal, a brilliant direct hit by Omarzai, stopped him just short of a hundred, but his 2000th T20I run was a milestone to celebrate.
-
McCoy’s Dream Return: Obed McCoy, stepping in for Shepherd, made an immediate impact. His three wickets, including Ibrahim Zadran and Azmatullah Omarzai, broke Afghanistan’s back.
-
Spin Magic: Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie were relentless, each taking two wickets and keeping the Afghan batsmen guessing. Hosein’s early dismissal of Gurbaz was a game-changer.
-
Team Effort: West Indies’ win wasn’t just about one or two players. From Pooran’s batting to the bowlers’ discipline, it was a complete performance that showed why they’re serious title contenders.
What This Win Meant
For West Indies, this 104-run victory was a massive confidence booster heading into the Super Eight stage. Captain Rovman Powell spoke about the team’s hard work over the past year, and this performance showed it. The win ensured they topped Group C, giving them momentum and a psychological edge. Nicholas Pooran’s form, in particular, was a sign that the Windies were ready to take on the world’s best.
For Afghanistan, the loss was their first in the tournament, but it wasn’t the end of the road. They showed flashes of brilliance, especially in their bowling and fielding, and took away valuable lessons for the next round. Rashid Khan and his team knew they’d need to tighten up against top-tier batting lineups, but their spirit remained unbroken.
A Word on the Bigger Picture
This match wasn’t just about runs and wickets; it was about the joy of cricket. For kids watching in the Caribbean, seeing Pooran smash sixes was a dream come true. For fans in Afghanistan, their team’s fight against a powerhouse like West Indies was a source of pride. Cricket has a way of uniting people, and this game was a perfect example—two teams from different corners of the world, playing with heart and leaving it all on the field.
Wrapping It Up
The West Indies Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard on June 17, 2024, was a T20 World Cup classic. The Windies’ record-breaking batting, led by Nicholas Pooran’s 98, set the stage for a dominant performance, while their bowlers sealed the deal with precision. Afghanistan fought hard but couldn’t match the firepower. The scorecard tells the story of a one-sided game, but the moments—Pooran’s sixes, McCoy’s wickets, and the electric atmosphere—made it so much more.
