The first match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 was played on June 22 between the joint hosts, with the West Indies team convincingly defeating the USA by nine wickets. In their subsequent match against England in the Super 8 stage, the Windies suffered a defeat, but they needed to register a big win in their next match to remain in contention for the semi-finals and they achieved it.
Batting first, the USA team was dismissed for 128 runs in 19.5 overs, before the West Indies team achieved the target in 10.5 overs at the cost of just one wicket, with Shai Hope’s explosive innings being the cornerstone of the victory.
The USA team’s bowlers were made to look helpless by Shai Hope’s aggressive batting, who was introduced into the lineup in place of the injured Brandon King.
Hope formed a formidable partnership with Johnson Charles, and the duo’s opening stand of 58 runs without losing a wicket set the tone for the Windies’ chase. After Charles was dismissed for 15, Hope found able support in Nicholas Pooran, and the pair continued to score freely, with Hope scoring an unbeaten 82 runs in 39 balls, featuring 8 sixes and 4 fours at a strike rate of 210.
West Indies’ victory also boosted their net run rate significantly, moving them above England in the Super 8 group standings. With a net run rate of 1.814, the Windies now sit in second place in the table, behind leaders South Africa with four points, having won one match and lost one.