T20 World Cup 2024: West Indies survive Papua New Guinea scare to secure scratchy win

Co-hosts West Indies narrowly avoided an upset as they kicked off their home campaign with a scratchy five-wicket win over Papua New Guinea in the Group C opener in Guyana on Sunday.

This game never should have gone this far, but credit goes to Papua New Guinea for their fight and determination in putting up a good challenge to the hosts. There was a brief moment when it looked like they could pull off an upset, but their lack of experience, combined with the firepower of the West Indies, proved too much to handle. Despite the odds, Papua New Guinea’s resilience and tenacity were commendable, showing that they have the potential to become a formidable team in the future.

The West Indies faced an early setback when Johnson Charles was dismissed cheaply with not much on the board. Papua New Guinea missed a crucial opportunity to review an LBW decision against Nicholas Pooran, who was initially given not out. Brandon King, in stark contrast to Pooran’s struggle, was in scintillating form, dealing primarily in boundaries. Pooran found some rhythm with a few aggressive shots towards the end of the powerplay, and together they added 53 runs, putting the hosts in a commanding position.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically with the quick dismissals of both set batters. The middle order struggled to maintain the scoring rate and continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Roston Chase stood firm, anchoring the innings despite losing partners, until Andre Russell joined him. The pair accelerated at the crucial moment, with Chase’s explosive 42 off 27 balls ensuring the West Indies secured the victory.

WI RESTRICT PNG TO 136

Two-time champions West Indies restricted Papua New Guinea (PNG) to a modest total of 136 for eight after opting to bowl in the Group C opener at the Brisbane Cricket Ground. After winning the toss and opting to bat, PNG’s innings started on a shaky note, and they found themselves in deep trouble at 50 for four, thanks to an incisive bowling attack led by the West Indies’ pace and spin combination. Romario Shepherd struck early for West Indies and removed PNG opener Tony Ura in the second over. Ura, trying to navigate Shepherd’s pace, edged the ball to the wicketkeeper, giving West Indies their first breakthrough. Spinner Akeal Hosein capitalized on the momentum, dismissing number three batsman Lega Siaka with a well-executed arm ball that broke through his defenses.

The pressure continued to mount on PNG when Alzarri Joseph struck, sending their skipper Assad Vala back to the pavilion. Vala, who scored 21 off 22 balls, offered a brief respite with a striking six over extra cover off Roston Chase, but his resistance was cut short by a sharp catch at backward point by Chase himself.

Amid the early collapses, Sese Bau emerged as the linchpin of PNG’s innings. Bau’s 50 off 43 balls was a masterclass in resilience and tactical shot-making, helping stabilize the innings. His 44-run partnership with Charles Amini (12) proved crucial in averting a complete collapse. Bau adeptly rotated the strike and found occasional boundaries, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking.

However, once Bau fell, PNG struggled to accelerate, managing to inch closer to a defendable total. The West Indies bowlers, particularly their spinners, exploited the pitch conditions effectively. Hosein’s early success was complemented by Fabian Allen and Roston Chase, who maintained tight lines and restricted the run flow during the middle overs.

Despite Bau’s valiant effort, PNG’s total of 136 for eight appeared modest against the formidable West Indies lineup. The Caribbean side’s decision to opt for a spin-heavy attack paid dividends, showcasing their strategic acumen and depth in bowling resources.