Carlos Brathwaite took four wickets to set up a 23-run win for the West Indies in their final World Cup match against Afghanistan in Leeds.
The West Indies made good use of the conditions to set Afghanistan a target of 312. Evin Lewis (58) and Shai Hope (77) set the platform with an 88-run partnership. Thereafter, Nicholas Pooran (58) and Jason Holder (45) accelerated the scoring to boost the total beyond the 300-mark.
Afghanistan delivered a spirited response. Rahmat Shah and Ikram Alikhil set the platform with a 133-run stand. The underdogs went into the final 20 needing to score at just over five runs per over.
The West Indies put down several chances in the field. Hope missed a stumping chance off the bowling of Chris Gayle when Ikram was on 73.
Gayle eventually got his man, though, when he trapped Ikram lbw in the 36th over. The batsman’s review was unsuccessful and he had to depart for a well-played 86. Najibullah Zadran was run out two balls later.
West Indies began to take charge. Brathwaite took some important wickets and ultimately finished with figures of 4-63.
The result has the West Indies finishing a disappointing World Cup campaign on a winning note. Afghanistan will end the round-robin phase in last place after failing to win a single game.
Photo: Cricket World Cup/Twitter
