West Indies tightened their grip on Group C of the T20 World Cup with a dominant performance against Uganda at the Providence Stadium on Saturday. Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein emerged as the hero, weaving his magic with a career-best five-wicket haul to dismantle Uganda’s batting lineup and secure a resounding 134-run victory.
Hosein Spins Uganda into a Web
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, West Indies wasted no time in asserting their dominance. Hosein spearheaded the bowling attack, bamboozling Ugandan batsmen with his variations. The Ugandan batters struggled to decipher his spin, with wickets falling regularly to either bowled or LBW dismissals.
Their resistance crumbled under Hosein’s relentless pressure, and they were eventually bundled out for a meagre 39 runs in just 12.4 overs. This score ties the record for the lowest total in T20 World Cup history, previously held by the Netherlands who were dismissed for 39 against Sri Lanka in 2014.
West Indies Batting: A Tale of Two Halves
Earlier, the West Indies innings started cautiously, with the opening two overs yielding few runs. However, Johnson Charles soon broke the shackles, launching an attacking assault on the Ugandan pacers. His aggressive knock was briefly halted by the dismissal of Brandon King, who fell prey to left-arm spinner Alpesh Ramjani.
Nicholas Pooran took the mantle of aggression from Charles, smashing three consecutive sixes to propel the Windies’ scoreboard forward. Unfortunately, his attacking intent proved to be his downfall as he attempted a big shot against skipper Brian Masaba, resulting in his dismissal.
A 29-run partnership between Charles and captain Rovman Powell offered a glimpse of stability. Powell showcased his brute power with a monstrous 107-meter six in the 11th over. However, both batsmen fell shortly after, failing to convert their starts into substantial scores.
Uganda’s Brief Resurgence and West Indies’ Clinical Finishing
Uganda managed to claw their way back into the contest with some disciplined bowling in the death overs. They executed a strategy of yorkers to restrict the free-flowing boundaries from the likes of Andre Russell and Romario Shepherd. While their efforts in the death overs were commendable, they ultimately proved insufficient. Russell managed to muscle his way to a 30-run cameo, peppered with four boundaries, taking the West Indies to a commanding total of 173/5.
This comprehensive victory further cements West Indies’ position at the top of Group C. Akeal Hosein’s exceptional bowling performance will be etched in the memory of fans, while the team’s overall dominance sends a strong message to their upcoming opponents. The co-hosts will be brimming with confidence as they look to continue their winning streak in the ongoing T20 World Cup.
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