ICC World Cup 2019: Twitter Reacts As West Indies Finish On A Winning Note

West Indies managed to secure their second win of the ICC World Cup 2019 as they beat Afghanistan by 23 runs in Headingley to finish their campaign on a winning note. Although the Afghans will fly back without a win but they have won hearts with their spirited performance in England.

West Indies end with a victory

Chasing a mammoth target of 312 runs set by West Indies, Afghanistan lost their skipper Gulbadin Naib in the second over. Reeling at five for one, Rahmat Shah and 17-year-old Ikram Ali Khil revived the innings and staged a brilliant platform for the chase adding 133 runs for the second wicket. Both of them batted with great authority and reached individual half-centuries. Carlos Brathwaite provided the breakthrough to dismiss Shah as Chris Gayle grabbed an outstanding catch at covers. Najibullah Zadran arrived in the middle with the departure of Shah and straightaway took the attack to the opposition.

Also read: ICC World Cup 2019: Pakistan Is Out Of The World Cup, Says Mohammad Yousuf

But Gayle provided another breakthrough to get the set Ikram out to have Afghanistan at 189 for three. The Afghan wicket-keeper got out at 87 and missed an opportunity to become the youngest cricketer to score a century in the World Cup. West Indies capitalised on the opportunity to sneak in two more wickets getting rid of Najibullah and Mohammad Nabi to change the course of the game. Former skipper Asghan Afghan tried to steer the chase with a good knock but Carlos Brathwaite picked his second to knock Afghanistan out of the game. Brathwaite finished with a four-wicket haul to end his and his team’s campaign with a win.

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Batting first, West Indies finally produced a good batting effort they have been lacking since the start of the World Cup. Although they lost Chris Gayle early, Evin Lewis and Shai Hopes revived the innings sharing an 88-run partnership for the second wicket. Lewis played the attacking role while Hope rotated the strike to build the innings. Lewis departed soon after reaching his half-century but Shimron Hetmyer joined hands to carry on the innings. But Hetmyer once again threw his wickets after doing the hardwork as Afghanistan bounced back to have West Indies at 192 for four removing Shai Hope as well.

Also read: ICC World Cup 2019: Shakib Al Hasan On The Verge Of Equaling Sachin Tendulkar’s Record

But Nicholas Pooran and skipper Jason Holder played two outstanding knocks against some top-class bowling by the Afghanistan spinners. They added 105 runs from just 68 deliveries to take the score almost close to the 300-run mark before Pooran departed after another well-made fifty. Carlos Brathwaite struck two fours and one six in the last over to take the score to 311 runs at the end of 50 overs. It proved too much for Afghanistan as West Indies registered their second win of the World Cup to finish on a positive note.

Twitter Reactions

Lots of admiration for the way Afghanistan are going about this run-chase. Instead of being disappointed with where they have finished, they must look at the positives, of which there are a few.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 4, 2019

West Indies will win the day now surely, but what a ding dong, crazy contest for a fairly long while. Afghanistan just sid not have the mental wherewithal to beat a highly vulnerable side. Will be disappointed

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) July 4, 2019

Oopppss. Ive still got it @RusselArnold69 ???? . But well played to Ikram. He has a bright future. Well played to him.

— ian bishop (@irbishi) July 4, 2019

West Indies wins first & last match of world cup tournament.#AFGvWI#AfgvsWI

— अभिषेक (@abhimail) July 4, 2019

Upset on the cards even if the match is of no consequence. West Indies under stiff pressure

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) July 4, 2019

Dear Afghanistan cricket, Rehmat Shah & Ikram Alikhil are your long term top order batsmen. Organised technique, calm temperament,good runners between the wickets, stick with them, give them a long rope they will serve you well. #Afghanistancricketteam #CWCUP2019

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) July 4, 2019

At the age of 18 years and 278 days, Ikram Alikhil is the youngest wicket-keeper to score a fifty in ODI cricket.

Prev: Mushfiqur Rahim (19y 246d) v ZIM in 2007. #AFGvWI #CWC19

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) July 4, 2019

West Indies are not even trying anymore, are they?! #AFGvWI #CWC19

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) July 4, 2019

West Indies have played some of the most brilliant cricket in this World Cup, but have also a whole lot of rubbish!

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) July 4, 2019

When relatives come to London and you have to take them to Madame Tussauds pic.twitter.com/JwrJehriat #CWC19

— Vithushan Ehantharajah (@Vitu_E) July 4, 2019

#AFGvWI like the approach by West Indies with the bat today, they played proper 50 overs cricket, very dogged to start off with but then accelerating with wickets in hand. Hopefully we see more off this in the future !

— We've Won It 6 Times?????? (@MideyChowdhry) July 4, 2019

No,no, no, Cottrell, can't believe it, normally has safe hands. Important moments. https://t.co/loWcA5y7UK#CWC19 #WIvAFG

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) July 4, 2019

https://twitter.com/vpss0210/status/1146831305054646278

Afghanistan players really did well through whole tournament, i just want they will win last match and collect two Points, they deserve to be in winning side today! Respect from #India#AfgvsWI #WorldCup2019 #AFGvWI #afganistan_cricket #england #tour @ICC @cricketworldcup

— सृष्टि ? (@theshrisworld) July 4, 2019

Irrespective of who wins the world cup…this afghan team has won the hearts of millions…Great spirit @ACBofficials #AFGvWI #CWC19

— Venky (@Venkygunner) July 4, 2019

Heart goes out to Afghanistan team, qualified to play for a World Cup but haven’t won won a single match! #AFGvWI

— zara nasim (@hines750) July 4, 2019

https://twitter.com/imbalkesh/status/1146822810007789568

Chris Gayle might be playing his last ODI and so far has done everything today, a wicket, a catch and setting up a run out but irony is he has not hit a SIX…and falls short of few runs to go past Brian Lara#MenInMaroon #AFGvWI #AfghanAtalan #CWC19

— Jeet Shah (@jeet_2109) July 4, 2019