WI vs SA 1st T20I: Pooran, Hope’s half centuries help WI take 1-0 lead in Trinidad

West Indies beat South Africa by seven wickets in the first T20I of the three-match series on Friday, August 23 at Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad.

After being put in to bat first, South Africa posted a good score of 174/7 in their allotted 20 overs courtesy of a breathtaking knock by Tristan Stubbs (76 off 42).

In reply, West Indies comfortably chased down the target in 17.5 overs with Shai Hope (51 off 36) and Nicholas Pooran (65* off 26) scoring half centuries. West Indies’ chase got off to a brilliant start with openers Alick Athanaze (40 off 30) and Hope adding 84 runs for the first wicket off eight overs.

Ottniel Baartman drew first blood for the Proteas as he dismissed Athanaze caught at mid off to bring an end to the massive opening partnership. However, despite taking the first wicket, there was more misery on cards for the visitors as Nicholas Pooran walked out to bat and annihilated their bowling attack. The wicketkeeper batter played a sensational knock of 65* (26) clobbering two fours and seven sixes.

He was well-supported by Hope with the duo adding 54 runs for the second wicket off 33 balls. Baartman (2/30) struck again for his team getting Hope out lbw but that didn’t save them from Pooran’s storm which blew away South Africa handing them a seven-wicket defeat.

Matthew Forde runs through SA’S Top Order
Earlier in the day, after being put in to bat first, South Africa were rocked by terrific new ball spells from Matthew Forde (3/27) and Shamar Joseph (2/40). The duo picked four wickets in the first seven overs leaving the Proteas reeling at 33/4 after 6.1 overs.

Seeing their team in a dire need of a partnership, Patrick Kruger (44 off 32) joined Tristan Stubbs at the crease as the duo rescued the innings with their 71-run stand off 50 balls. Forde returned in the 17th over to break the stand and pick his third wicket leaving South Africa on 113/6 after 16.1 overs.

However, Stubbs’ fireworks in the death overs propelled South Africa to a good score of 174/7. Meanwhile, Pooran was adjudged Player of the Match for his breathtaking knock. The two teams will next face each other in the second T20I on Sunday, August 25 at the same venue.