TAROUBA, Trinidad and Tobago — Nicholas Pooran’s explosive, unbeaten 65 from just 26 balls powered the West Indies to a seven-wicket victory over an experimental South African side in the first T20 International of a three-match series at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy Stadium on Friday.
The home side chased down South Africa’s target of 174 with 13 balls to spare, thanks to Pooran’s dazzling display of power hitting.
The match, which had been delayed by over an hour due to heavy rain, saw the West Indies opt to bowl first. The Caribbean side made an impressive start with the ball, reducing South Africa to 42-5 in the opening eight overs. Seamer Matthew Forde was particularly effective, taking the wickets of Ryan Rickelton (4) and South African captain Aiden Markram (14).
However, South Africa’s middle order mounted a recovery, led by Tristan Stubbs, who struck a superb 76 off 42 balls, including three sixes. Stubbs was supported by Patrick Kruger, who added 44 from 32 balls, allowing South Africa to post a respectable 174-7 from their 20 overs.
Wasted no time going on the attack
In response, West Indies wasted no time going on the attack. The opening pair of Alick Athanaze (40) and Shai Hope (51) put on an 84-run partnership for the first wicket before Athanaze was dismissed in the eighth over, caught behind by Markram off the bowling of Ottneil Baartman. Hope continued to anchor the innings before being dismissed for 51, but Pooran took control of the game from there.
Pooran’s powerful innings included a memorable 12th over, where he hit four consecutive sixes off South African bowler Burger. Despite the Proteas removing Hope and West Indies skipper Rovman Powell (7), the outcome was never in doubt as Pooran guided the home side to victory with 13 balls remaining.
South Africa’s young left-arm seamer Kwena Maphaka, who became the youngest player to make his international debut for the country at 18 years and 137 days, provided a bright spot for the visitors by claiming the wicket of Powell. South African captain Markram praised the young bowler’s potential, stating, “He has a lot of X-factor and is really young. He has hunger when you speak to him off the field and he wants to win games for South Africa.”
West Indies captain Rovman Powell emphasized the importance of focusing on the present, even as the team builds toward the next T20 World Cup in 2026. “To be honest, a lot of talk is around the next T20 World Cup, but we have to play one game at a time and see different players. We have to stay in the process and the next World Cup is too far away for us,” Powell said.
The second game in the series will be held at the same venue on Sunday.
