Alick Athanaze and Shai Hope, the West Indies openers, gave the hosts a fantastic start in the chase. They effectively timed their innings and established a partnership of 84 runs, knowing the wicket, which all but eliminated the Aiden Markram-led team. Nicholas Pooran took care of what remained. Athanaze was out for forty runs when Pooran entered the batting at three and caused mayhem.
In the current three-match T20I series against South Africa, the West Indies had a point to prove following a terrible T20 World Cup. South Africa, on the other hand, made it to the tournament finals, but they lost by seven wickets in Trinidad because they appeared weak without several of their main players.
With an amazing half-century to back him up, Shai Hope gave the West Indies a 1-0 series lead.
South Africa’s openers were Ryan Rickelton and Reeza Hendricks, as Quinton de Kock was not present. Both the pair and captain Aiden Markram could not leave their mark, but Proteas batsman Tristan Stubbs, batting at number four, came to the team’s rescue. But the visitors were not helped as wickets fell on one end. Patrick Kruger eventually joined Stubbs, who was playing aggressive cricket, and the two of them helped South Africa score a decent total.
While Kruger scored 44 runs off 32 balls, Stubbs scored 76 runs off 42 balls. They shared a partnership of 71 runs during the first innings, with South Africa scoring 174 runs. Shamar Joseph took two wickets and Matthew Forde took three for the West Indies among the bowlers.
With his smashing of the ball all over the field and his 65* runs off only 26 balls, he helped the West Indies win by a comfortable seven wickets.
Also Read: The West Indies have announced its T20I series squad vs South Africa, with Russell, Holder, & Joseph being rested
South Africa was particularly troubled by the absence of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Lungi Ngidi. Another reason for their loss was that they did not have Heinrich Klaasen.
Here’s how Twitter (X) reacted:
Stubbs yae kadavuleeee🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/pFwEV5xCvP
— Mani Dhoni (@manidhonii) August 24, 2024
42/5 to 176/7
23(21) to 76(42)
Stubbs Nation Where r we!!! We got an innings underpressure 🤩🤩🤩🥵🥵🥵🥵#WIvsSA pic.twitter.com/0qbPK2vEUx— SM⁶³ (@LongOff_____) August 24, 2024
South Africa Was Struggling on 69
Run For 5 Wickets Vs West Indies.But Fearless Tristan Stubbs Hits A
Monster Six Out Of Stadium 🏏What A Big Hitter He Is🔥#TristanStubbs #WivsRSA #RSAvsWI #T20I #Cricket #SouthAfrica #WestIndies pic.twitter.com/zAYSw24qvr
— Addy Boss 🇮🇳 (@addy__boss) August 23, 2024
Fabulous T20 game between West Indies and South Africa!
South Africa had set a decent total of 175 which West Indies chased with 2 overs remaining courtesy incredible hitting by their wicket keeper Pooran who hit 65 off just 26 balls – 7 sixes in his innings at the Strike Rate… pic.twitter.com/dMa9fFTQsC— Basit Subhani (@BasitSubhani) August 24, 2024
West Indies beat South Africa by 7 wickets with 13 balls left.
Pooran 65* (26) with 7 Sixes including 4 in an over of Burger. #WIvSA pic.twitter.com/9Roe1Cxags
— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888) August 24, 2024
West Indies beat South Africa by 7 wickets with 13 balls left.
Pooran 65* (26) with 7 Sixes including 4 in an over of Burger. #WIvSA pic.twitter.com/smdon73b5p
— Jutt news (@PakNews1855886) August 24, 2024
Result of the first T20i match between South Africa and West Indies🏏
🇿🇦 – 174/7 (20)
🏝️ – 176/3 (17.5)👍🏻West Indies won by 7 Wickets (13 balls left) pic.twitter.com/nnBVCSFY8f
— JD CriCo (@Gaurav_05Kumar) August 24, 2024
West Indies beat South Africa by 7 wickets on 1st T20I
Nicholas Pooran the hero
65 from 26 ball with 7 gigantic Sixes #WIvsSA— Roni Das (@RoniDas1297) August 24, 2024
Nicholas Pooran shines as West indies defeated South Africa by 7 wickets.#cricket #WIvSA #Pooran #WindiesCricket#ShikharDhawan #retirement #shikardhawan pic.twitter.com/YlkZ9fYACm
— The wide Yorker (@TheWideYorker) August 24, 2024