Nicholas Pooran punishes South Africa as West Indies win by seven wickets

Nicholas Pooran, aged 29, delivered an impressive performance, scoring an unbeaten 65 runs off just 26 balls, leading the West Indies to a seven-wicket victory over South Africa in a Twenty20 International match held in Trinidad on Friday. This win granted the home team a 1-0 advantage in the three-match series.

South Africa, missing several key players due to rest, batted first and managed to set a total of 174 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

However, this total proved insufficient as the West Indies' top three batsmen dominated the bowling attack at the Brian Lara Stadium, successfully chasing down the target with 13 balls remaining.

Pooran's explosive innings included seven sixes and two fours, culminating the match in a spectacular fashion.

The foundation for the chase was established by an opening partnership of 84 runs between Alick Athanaze, who scored 40 runs off 30 balls, and Shai Hope, who contributed 51 runs from 36 balls, before both were dismissed by South African bowler Ottneil Baartman, who finished with figures of 2 for 30.

South Africa introduced 18-year-old fast bowler Kwena Maphaka, who became the youngest player to represent his country in a T20 International. He claimed his first wicket by dismissing West Indies captain Rovman Powell for 7 runs, caught at cover.

The South African innings faltered early, collapsing to 42 for 5, but a resilient sixth-wicket partnership of 71 runs between Tristan Stubbs, who scored 76 runs off 42 balls, and Patrick Kruger, who added 44 runs from 32 balls, helped them reach a more respectable total.

Matthew Forde was the standout bowler for the West Indies, taking 3 wickets for 27 runs, while Shamar Joseph contributed with 2 wickets for 40 runs.

The second match of the series is scheduled to take place at the same venue on Sunday.