• West Indies registered a seven-wicket victory over South Africa in the first T20I of the three-match series.

  • Nicholas Pooran was named Player of the Match for his explosive batting.

Fans react as Nicholas Pooran propels West Indies to a dominant win over South Africa in the 1st T20I
Fans react as West Indies dominate South Africa in the series opener (Images source: X)

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In a resounding display of batting prowess, the West Indies cruised to a seven-wicket victory over South Africa in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Brian Lara Stadium. The hosts’ triumph was primarily fueled by a scintillating innings from Nicholas Pooran, who showcased his destructive hitting capabilities to seal the deal.

Tristan Stubbs’ heroics go in vain

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, South Africa posted a competitive total of 174/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Tristan Stubbs top-scored with a 42-ball 76, laced with 8 fours and 3 sixes, to rescue the visitors from a precarious position at 42/5. However, the West Indies bowlers, led by Matthew Forde (3/27) and Akeal Hosein (2/22), kept the South African batters in check for the majority of the innings.

Also READ: WATCH: Nicholas Pooran launches a massive 113-meter six out of the park in The Hundred 2024

Nicholas Pooran’s blitzkrieg seals emphatic victory

In response, the West Indies openers Alick Athanaze (40) and Shai Hope (51) provided a solid start, adding 84 runs for the first wicket. However, the introduction of spin from the South African bowlers slowed down the run rate, and the hosts found themselves at 138/3 in the 14th over. Enter Pooran, who took the attack to the opposition bowlers, smashing 7 fours and 2 sixes in his unbeaten 65 off just 26 balls. His onslaught, along with a steady 7 off 15 balls from captain Rovman Powell, helped West Indies chase down the target with 13 balls to spare.

Kwena Maphaka makes history as youngest debutant

South Africa’s woes were compounded by the absence of their ace pacer Lungi Ngidi, who was ruled out of the series with a calf strain. The visitors handed a debut to 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka, who became the youngest-ever player to represent South Africa in a T20I. Maphaka picked up Powell’s wicket in his 3.5 overs, but it was not enough to prevent a West Indies victory.

Pooran adjudged Player of the Match

For his match-winning knock, Pooran was adjudged the Player of the Match. The left-hander’s onslaught showcased his immense batting prowess and ability to turn the game on its head in a matter of overs. The two teams will now head for the all-important second T20I on Sunday, August 25, on the same ground with West Indies leading the series 1-0.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Also READ: Here are the updated WTC 2023-25 rankings after South Africa’s win over West Indies in Guyana Test

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About the Author:
AKASH THAPA
Akash Thapa is a dedicated cricket journalist with three years of experience in the media industry. A BA (JMC) graduate from VIPS, GGSIPU, and a postgraduate in MAJMC from the University of Lucknow, Akash combines his academic credentials with a deep-rooted passion for cricket.His background as a former junior-level wrestler and cricketer enriches his insightful analysis and commentary on the game. Known for his inventive approach to writing and his commitment to capturing the nuances of cricket, Akash is a true aficionado of the sport.Connect with Akash on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.