South Africa versus West Indies T20I Series, 2024

1st T20I

Nicholas Pooran’s explosive innings has propelled West Indies team to a commanding victory

South Africa scored 174/7 in 20 overs, where as West Indies scored 176/3 in 17.5 overs.

So, finally West Indies beat South Africa by 7 wickets.

Nicholas Pooran’s explosive 65* off just 26 balls guided West Indies to a resounding 7-wicket win over South Africa in Trinidad, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series.

Pooran’s innings overshadowed a valiant effort from Tristan Stubbs, who rescued South Africa from a precarious 42/5 with a powerful 76 off 42 balls, helping his team post 174/7.

The home team’s openers set the stage with a solid 84-run partnership, and Pooran took charge to ensure the victory with 13 balls to spare.

South Africa, put in to bat first after a brief rain delay, faced early trouble as Matthew Forde struck on his second delivery to dismiss Ryan Rickelton.

Despite Aiden Markram’s brief counterattack, Forde removed him as well, leaving the visitors struggling at 33/4 by the seventh over.

South Africa’s innings stagnated at a slow run rate, with half the side back in the dugout after 11 overs.

However, Stubbs and Patrick Kruger found their rhythm and accelerated the scoring.

Kruger aggressively hit Roston Chase for a six and a four, breaking a dry spell, and then delivered a costly over against Romario Shepherd.

Though Kruger fell just short of a half-century, Stubbs took over and smashed the West Indies bowlers with a flurry of boundaries, including a massive six, to finish the innings on a high note.

In response, West Indies’ openers Alick Athanaze and Shai Hope provided a blistering start, adding 75 runs in the PowerPlay, with both facing heavy scoring from Nandre Burger and Markram.

Otteneil Baartman eventually broke the stand by dismissing Athanaze.

Pooran quickly asserted himself, hitting his second ball for a six and continuing to dominate.

Despite Hope nearing his fifty, Pooran’s aggressive play saw him dismantle Burger with four consecutive sixes, forcing the pacer out of the attack.

Although Hope fell shortly after reaching his fifty, Pooran’s relentless assault continued, hitting Kruger for a 6 and two 4s to reduce the target to just 11 runs needed from the last four overs, which West Indies chased down comfortably.