West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein produced a performance for the ages, claiming the best-ever bowling figures by a West Indies bowler in the T20 World Cup, as they crushed Uganda by a massive 134 runs on Sunday.
Hosein’s Spectacular Spell Scripts Uganda’s Downfall
Opening the bowling attack for the co-hosts, Hosein ran riot through the Ugandan batting lineup. His exceptional left-arm spin proved unplayable for the debutants, who were bundled out for a meagre 39 runs in just 12.4 overs. This score ties the record for the lowest total in the T20 World Cup, previously held by the Netherlands in 2014.
Hosein’s remarkable bowling figures of 5/11 showcased his mastery and control. “I needed this,” he expressed after receiving the Man of the Match award. “It’s a lot of hard work, especially when you start getting success. The way the game is moving, guys are going to study and come up with different plans, so you have to keep working to stay one step ahead of them every time.”
Dominant West Indies Batting Sets Up Commanding Win
Earlier, West Indies posted a competitive total of 173/5 on the board. While none of the top-order batsmen were able to convert their starts into big scores, Johnson Charles led the way with a well-composed 44. Andre Russell provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 30 off just 17 deliveries.
West Indies captain Rovman Powell expressed his satisfaction with the team’s overall performance, highlighting the improvement from their previous match. “That last game we were a little bit flat so coming into this game we just wanted to improve as a team and I think we’re up to 70-80 per cent now,” he noted.
A Night of Records for West Indies
Hosein’s phenomenal bowling performance not only secured a comfortable victory but also etched his name in the history books. Here’s a breakdown of the records achieved:
- First West Indies bowler to take a five-wicket haul in the T20 World Cup.
- Best bowling figures ever for a West Indies bowler in the T20 World Cup (5/11).
- First spinner to take a five-wicket haul for West Indies in T20 Internationals.
Uganda’s Baptism by Fire
While Uganda’s World Cup debut ended in a disappointing defeat, they gained valuable experience against a top-tier team. Their bowlers, particularly seamers Cosmas Kyewuta and Juma Miyagi, displayed promising pace and accuracy. However, their batting woes were evident, with no batsman reaching double figures.
Uganda’s captain, Brian Masaba, acknowledged the challenges but expressed optimism for the future. “It’s a very steep learning curve for us, especially in the batting department,” he said. “It’s a huge challenge (this World Cup debut) but it’s something we’re enjoying and we understand if we are going to get better we need to be playing against opposition like this a bit more and over time we will be able to narrow the gap.”
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