West Indies’ Roston Chase performs a shot in opposition to Papua New Guinea throughout an ICC Males’s T20 World Cup cricket match at Guyana Nationwide Stadium in Windfall, Guyana, Sunday, June 2, 2024.
| Picture Credit score: AP
West Indies stuttered and stumbled earlier than ultimately scrambling a five-wicket win with an over to spare over minnows Papua New Guinea within the opening Group C encounter of the T20 World Cup on the Guyana Nationwide Stadium on Sunday, June 2, 2024.
Set a modest goal of 137, the two-time former champions have been undone by intelligent, disciplined PNG bowling, slumping to 97 for 5 with solely 4 overs left when all-rounder Roston Chase’s unbeaten 42 off 27 balls (4 fours, two sixes) stole the highlight from the power-hitting Andre Russell (15 not out) to take their crew to victory at 137 for 5 off 19 overs.
Their unbroken sixth-wicket partnership of 40 got here off simply three overs and denied PNG one of many largest shocks, not simply within the eight editions of this match, however in all worldwide cricket on condition that this was simply their second look in a world match, having misplaced all three matches of their debut look on the 2021 T20 World Cup.
“Primarily based on what we noticed when PNG batted, it was at all times going to be laborious for batsmen now coming in, so I gave myself a while to have the very best probability potential and again my expertise to get the ball away as soon as I bought in,” mentioned “Man of the Match” Chase, who conceded 26 runs from 4 overs of off-spin and likewise held an excellent catch at backward level to take away PNG captain Assad Vala.
Vala led the best way with the ball for the underdogs in taking two for 28 from 4 overs of spin after seamer Alei Nao struck at the beginning of the West Indies chase with the wicket of Johnson Charles first ball.
That early success fired up the Papuans regardless of the shot-making of Brandon King (34) and Nicholas Pooran (27).
When each fell inside 11 deliveries of one another and captain Rovman Powell adopted, PNG sensed an upset of monumental proportions earlier than Chase redressed the steadiness when joined by Russell following the swift demise of Sherfane Rutherford.
“We have been 10-15 runs wanting what would have been a extra aggressive goal however after dropping so many early wickets it was nonetheless effort,” mentioned Valla in reflecting on the slim loss. “We’re proud of the combat we confirmed in making an attempt to defend that whole. This is a chance for us and we look ahead to the problem to play our greatest cricket in tournaments and in opposition to groups like this.”
Earlier, Sese Bau’s belligerent 50 off 43 balls (six fours, one six) represented the one significant contribution from PNG in totalling 136 for eight after they have been put in to bat. Wicketkeeper Kiplin Doriga (27 not out) and Valla (21) have been the opposite gamers to get previous 20 with quick bowlers Alzarri Joseph and Russell spearheading the West Indies effort with two wickets every.
“Credit score to PNG as a result of they performed good cricket and their plans have been easy, however on the finish it was vital for us to get the 2 factors,” mentioned a relieved Powell. “We must be higher although in all three departments of the sport (batting, bowling and fielding). We weren’t fairly as much as the usual at the moment that we anticipate of ourselves and we have to enhance for the approaching matches.”
Transient scores:
Papua New Guinea 136-8 in 20 overs (Sese Bau 50, Kiplin Doriga 24 not out, Assad Vala 21; Andre Rusell 2-19, Alzarri Joseph 2-34) v West Indies 137-5 off 19 overs (Roston Chase 42 not out, Brandon King 34; Assad Vala 2-28, Alei Nao 1-9)
