T20 World Cup 2024: West Indies Survives PNG Challenge

West Indies narrowly overcome Papua New Guinea threat in T20 World Cup opener.

T20 World Cup 2024 Group C (ICC Men’s) encounter held in Guyana, Papua New Guinea posted a total of 136-8 in their allotted 20 overs with Bau scoring 50 off 43 balls and Russell taking 2-19. In response, West Indies chased down the target with five wickets in hand, reaching 137-5 in 19 overs with Chase top-scoring with an unbeaten 42.

Co-hosts West Indies kicked off their T20 World Cup campaign with a hard-fought victory over Papua New Guinea at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul. Despite needing 37 runs off the final 19 balls, they managed to secure the win with six balls to spare. Chase’s resilient knock coupled with a crucial partnership with Russell guided them to victory.

PNG faced early setbacks, slipping to 7-2 in the third over but Bau’s fifty and Doriga’s late contribution pushed them to a competitive total of 136-8. In the bowling department, Russell and Joseph impressed with two wickets each. West Indies’ innings didn’t start smoothly as opener Charles departed for a golden duck but Pooran and King steadied the ship with a crucial partnership.

However, a flurry of wickets put them under pressure before Chase and Russell’s partnership sealed the win. Despite the victory, West Indies will be wary of their performance, as they allowed PNG to stay in the game longer than expected. With tougher matches ahead, they will need to improve their intensity and execution to progress in the tournament.

Both teams acknowledged the competitiveness of the match, with Chase highlighting PNG’s resilience, while Vala expressed satisfaction with his team’s effort despite falling short in the end.

Cataleya