Co-hosts West Indies Survive Scare Against Papua New Guinea in T20 World Cup Opener
The co-hosts West Indies began their quest for a third Men’s T20 World Cup title with a tense five-wicket victory over a spirited Papua New Guinea in Guyana. As champions in 2012 and 2016, West Indies restricted the qualifiers to 136-8 before wobbling in their chase before ultimately triumphing with an over to spare.
Bau’s Half-century Helps PNG Post Respectable Total
Sese Bau’s 50 off 43 balls helped Papua New Guinea post a respectable total, but West Indies seamers Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Andre Russell, and Alzarri Joseph kept them in check.
West Indies Wobble in Chase Before Steadying the Ship
In the chase, Johnson Charles fell for a golden duck, and West Indies slipped to 97-5 before all-rounder Roston Chase (42* off 27) and Russell (15* off 9) steadied the ship with an unbeaten 40-run stand.
“The victory followed co-hosts USA’s opening-day triumph over Canada, where Aaron Jones’ 94* off 40 balls, including 10 sixes, led the way.”
While West Indies have struggled in recent T20 World Cups, they are expected to impress this year after winning their last three bilateral T20I series under captain Rovman Powell. The home side will now face Uganda on Sunday, June 9, while Papua New Guinea take on Uganda on Thursday.
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