Pooran's Pyrotechnics Power West Indies to T20I Win

Nicholas Pooran's blistering knock of 65 runs off just 26 deliveries propelled West Indies to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over South Africa in the opening match of their three-match Twenty20 International series in Trinidad.

After South Africa, missing several regular players, posted a respectable 174-7 in their 20 overs, the West Indies openers, Alick Athanaze and Shai Hope, laid the foundation for the chase with an 84-run partnership. Athanaze contributed 40 runs off 30 balls, while Hope scored 51 off 36 deliveries.

However, it was Pooran who stole the show with his explosive innings. The left-hander smashed seven sixes and two fours, finishing the match in style with a boundary off the final delivery. His innings overshadowed the efforts of Tristan Stubbs (76 off 42 balls) and Patrick Kruger (44 off 32 balls), who had earlier rescued South Africa from a precarious position.

South Africa's innings had started poorly, with the tourists slumping to 42-5. But Stubbs and Kruger combined for a 71-run sixth-wicket partnership to give their team a fighting total.

For the West Indies, Matthew Forde was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-27, while Shamar Joseph claimed 2-40.

The victory gives West Indies a 1-0 lead in the series, with the second match scheduled for Sunday at the same venue.

Tags: #Cricket, #T20I, #WestIndies, #SouthAfrica, #NicholasPooran