In their final group stage clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 at the Beausejour Stadium in Saint Lucia on Tuesday morning, West Indies wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran made history as he joined India’s legendary all-rounder Yuvraj Singh as the only two batsmen to score 36 runs in an over in the T20 World Cup. Pooran smashed Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai for 36 runs in an over as the Windies registered the highest score in the tournament.
Batting first, West Indies registered 218 runs on the board with Nicholas Pooran smashing 98 off 53 with 8 sixes and 6 fours. The T20 World Cup 2023 co-hosts also registered the highest total in a powerplay in the World Cup as they smashed 92 in 6 overs.
During West Indies’ batting, Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai bowled the 4th over and gave away 36 runs, which is only the fifth time in T20I history that many runs have been scored in an over. By smashing 36 runs in an over, Pooran joined former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, who smashed 6 sixes against former England pacer Stuart Broad. However, Pooran scored 26 runs in the over while 10 came through extras.
Pooran began with a six on the first ball followed by a boundary on the next ball, which was given a no-ball. Omarzai bowled a wide delivery that reached the boundary ropes, adding five runs to West Indies’ scoreboard. The free hit continued and the Afghanistan all-rounder bowled out Pooran. On the next ball, Omarzai conceded another four for leg byes. Pooran smashed a four and two sixes in the next three balls.
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With his eight sixes against Afghanistan, Pooran (128) surpassed West Indies legend Chris Gayle (124) for the most sixes for West Indies in T20Is.