THANKS to an unbeaten 65 from Nicholas Pooran, West Indies successfully chased the highest T20 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba defeating South Africa by six wickets to take a 1-0 lead in their three-match series.
After opting to bowl first, the West Indies were faced with a rain delay that pushed back the start of play by an hour.
South Africa were in dire straits at 42 for 5 within the first eight overs. The visitor’s innings saw a commendable recovery, thanks to a sixth-wicket partnership of 71 runs off 50 balls between Patrick Kruger and Tristan Stubbs. Stubbs, along with Bjorn Fortuin, further accelerated the innings with a rapid seventh-wicket stand of 60 runs off just 25 balls. West Indies’ Matthew Forde shone brightly, matching his career-best figures with 3 for 27.
In response, openers Shai Hope and Alick Athanaze set the stage with an impressive 84-run partnership in just 49 balls. The momentum shifted further as Hope and Pooran added 54 runs off 33 balls, effectively breaking South Africa’s spirit. Pooran, in particular, was relentless, scoring his quickest T20I fifty in just 20 balls and finishing the match unbeaten with 65 runs off 26 deliveries.
South Africa, missing key players including Lungi Ngidi due to injury, fielded their youngest-ever debutant, 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka. Maphaka made an impact by claiming his first international wicket, dismissing West Indies captain Rovman Powell. However, with only three runs needed for victory, Roston Chase sealed the win with a boundary, leaving West Indies victorious with 13 balls to spare.
West Indies captain Powell’s decision to bowl first was validated early in the match, with Akeal Hosein’s disciplined opening over and Forde’s breakthrough wicket of Ryan Rickelton setting the tone. South Africa struggled during the powerplay, finishing at 33 for 3, and their woes deepened as they lost their recognized batsmen in quick succession.
As the West Indies celebrate this win with the games on Sunday and Tuesday at the same venue.
