The West Indies were brought back down to earth by Afghanistan in the ICC Under 19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia. The Windies now stand second behind Afghanistan in Group ‘D’ after the 138-run defeat today.
The West Indies headed into this their second group D match confident after a comfortable 5-wicket win over Tanzania last Thursday where they chased. So, when Afghanistan opted to bat first, the Caribbean team must have felt comfortable on the Windhoek (vind-hock) pitch in Namibia.
The Afghans were also confident having won their opening game against South Africa at the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup, where they batted first.
The West indies bowlers were made in toil in the heat of the Namibian capital as their opponents racked up 86 runs on the board before the first wicket. Wrist spinner Vitel Lawes doing the trick with the pacers struggling.
Lawes took another wicket shortly after to see Afghanistan on 90 for 2 in the 20th over.
He would finish with three wickets, so too Jakeem Pollard who eventually came good. However, the 77-run partnership between opener Osman Sadat and his captain Mahboob Khan proved to be the difference maker. Sadat gone for 88 and player of the match Khan added 86 in the middle order, both removed by Pollard. But Afghanistan’s total of 262 for 6 seemed daunting.
The Caribbean team got off to a poor response with no answer to the off break of Wahidullar who removed 3 of the four top batsmen with 21 runs on the board. Teammates Nooristani took 4 and Khatir 3 in an allround bowling display.
The only resistance from the men in maroon came from Jewel Andrew who struck 57 batting at number three.
The other person to get to double figures was Pollard batting at number 10. He made an unbeaten 11 as the West indies were stopped on 124 in the 34th over.
Aghanistan taking a 138-run win and booking their spot in the Super sixes stage. The West Indies next play South Africa on Thursday.