'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Two-time T20 world champions West Indies impressed cricket fans with a powerful 134-run victory against Uganda in their 2024 T20 World Cup clash in Guyana on June 8. After winning the toss and batting first, the co-hosts posted a formidable 173/5 in 20 overs.
Opener Johnson Charles top-scored with a well-compiled 44 off 42, while Andre Russell provided the acceleration towards the end of the innings. The big-hitting all-rounder scored an unbeaten 30 off 17 to propel West Indies to a seemingly above-par total.
In defense, the West Indian bowlers wrecked the Uganda batting lineup with tremendous intensity and skill level. Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein picked up a magnificent five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5/11 in four overs. He was well supported by the other four bowlers, who were all amongst the wickets.
It meant the Men from the Caribbean bowled Uganda out for a paltry 39 in only 12 overs for a commanding win. It is the joint lowest total in T20 World Cup history as the West Indian bowlers thrilled their home fans to bits. The Netherlands were also bowled out for 39 by Sri Lanka in the 2014 edition.
Fans on X/Twitter hailed the West Indians for the spectacular showing with the following reactions:
Fans continued praising the West Indies side for their dominant win, with one saying:
"What a stellar display of bowling by the West Indies team! Absolutely phenomenal."
"Ruthless from the west indies... as they should be," said a fan.
"Decisive victory!!! West Indies reign supreme," a fan tweeted.
"Now, we are operating at 70-80 percent" - Rovman Powell
West Indies skipper Rovman Powell feels the team has improved substantially from their performance in the tournament opener to the massive win against Uganda.
Although they won the opening game against Papua New Guinea, the co-hosts stuttered during the run-chase, winning by five wickets with only an over to spare.
In the post-match presentation after the side's win over Uganda, Powell said (via CricTracker):
"We talk about improving. We were a little flat in the first game. We had some rust in the first game. We were 60 percent in the first game. Now, we are operating at 70-80 percent. Cricket isn't that easy here and teams need to play well. The Guyanese crowd have been superb."
The mammoth win helped West Indies tighten their grip on a top-two finish in Group C, with four points in two games at a net run rate of +3.574.
They will take on New Zealand in a highly-anticipated encounter in Trinidad on Wednesday, June 12.
