Highlights, Afghanistan vs West Indies, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Match, Full Cricket Score: Windies win by 23 runs

West Indies captain Jason Holder: It’s good to get over the line. We had a few close encounters in our campaign. The batsmen stepped up, started very well with Evin, Shai got a good platform, I backed myself to finish off well. With the ball, we didn’t start as well as we would’ve liked but fought through. 

I think consistency let us down, in all three departments. We have a lot to improve in the fielding. The bowling was superb, credit to them. 

It’s sad to see Chris Gayle to play his last World Cup game, want to wish him all the best, he’s been a star for West Indies cricket. Also, want to say thanks to Ian Gould, who is going to stand in his last game on Saturday.

West Indies started their campaign on a strong note when they bounced Pakistan out in Nottingham. However, as the tournament progressed they ran out of the gas. Even today there were plenty of flaws, but thankfully the death bowlers saved the day and helped the team register a consolation victory.

Gulbadin Naib: It’s was a good score. Credit to Ikram and Rahmat for the way they batted. It’s a big stage so it’s always difficult to chase 300+ target. But I am happy with our performance. Ikram Ali showed his potential today. Back home we have more talented players. We have learnt a lot from the World Cup. Fitness is a big issue for our team. We need to learn to perform under pressure.

Some power-hitting by Afghanistan towards the end but unfortunately, once again they haven’t been able cross the winning line. The run out of Najibullah was the turning point of this chase for me. Afghanistan end their campaign in this World Cup without registering a single victory. They have looked good in patches but against the other nine top teams in the world, I think they have been found out in this competition. But there is potential in this team for sure.

Shai Hope: It’s important we got that score on the board. We knew they had some good spinners but we batted well and it gave impetus to hit in the end. 

I want to play consistently more often. As a batter, it’s good to score runs and finish on a high.

Shai Hope is the Man of the Match for his knock of 77

Most matches lost in an ODI series/tournament:

9 — Australia, Benson & Hedges World Series Cup, 1981/82

9 — Sri Lanka, Benson & Hedges World Series Cup, 1984/85

9 — Afghanistan, ICC Cricket World Cup, 2019*

West Indies beat Afghanistan by 23 runs!

Chris Gayle walks off to a standing ovation from the crowd at Headingley. The Universe Boss couldn’t produce a Gaylestorm with the bat but shone with the ball taking a wicket and giving away just 28 runs off six overs. Take a bow legend!

West Indies beat Afghanistan to end their 2019 World Cup campaign on a winning note! 

OUT! Fabian Allen takes a blinder running backwards from covers to end the West Indies’ World Cup campaign on high! 

West Indies (311/6) beat Afghanistan (288/10) by 23 runs.

SIX! And now he smacks the ball over long-off for a six! To quote Bon Jovi Shirzad is going down in a blaze of glory!

FOUR! Shirzad is having fun here. Clears the infield off a full toss and the ball runs away to the cover fence.

After 49 overs,Afghanistan 278/9 ( Sayed Shirzad 15 , Mujeeb Ur Rahman 7)

Carlos Brathwaite to bowls the penultimate over and he can end the match with a five-wicket haul here. Doesn’t get it and ends the day with figures of 4/63 off his nine overs. Afghanistan need 34 runs from 6 balls.

After 48 overs,Afghanistan 275/9 ( Sayed Shirzad 13 , Mujeeb Ur Rahman 6)

Oshane Thomas continues. Mujeeb whacks the ball down the ground for a four even as the fielder at mid-on out a desperate dive. Seven runs off Thomas’sixth over. Afghanistan need 37 runs off 12 balls.

FOUR! Mujeeb gets in on the act and hits the ball past the fielder at mid-on for a boundary!

After 47 overs,Afghanistan 268/9 ( Sayed Shirzad 11 , Mujeeb Ur Rahman 1)

Brathwaite has his fourth and Windies come within a wicket of winning their second match. Afghanistan need 44 runs off 18 balls.

SIX! Shirzad shows Asghar and Rashid how it’s done and smashes the ball down the ground for a six!

OUT! Carlos Brathwaite has his fourth wicket! Rashid Khan whacks the ball straight down the ground but Holder times his jump perfectly to take another catch at the fence. Rashid Khan c Holder b Brathwaite 9 (16b)

After 46 overs,Afghanistan 260/8 ( Rashid Khan 9 , Sayed Shirzad 4)

Oshane Thomas comes back into the attack sees a wicket snatched off him after Pooran drops Rashid and then sees Shirzad hit him down the ground for a four. Afghanistan need 52 runs off 24 balls.

FOUR! Shirzad smashes the ball down the ground and takes out his partner Rashid Khan in the process. He murdered the ball and nearly his partner there!

DROPPED! Rashid Khan smashes the ball straight at Nicholas Pooran cover who has two goes at the ball but drops it! Oshane Thomas not at all happy.

After 45 overs,Afghanistan 255/8 ( Rashid Khan 8 , )

Brathwaite comes into the attack and strikes immediately to remove Asghar Afghan and Dawlat Zadran. This has been the story for Afghanistan throughout the World Cup. They have stayed in many matches for long periods of time but failed to close the match in the end. Afghanistan need 57 runs off 30 balls.

With Asghar departure, one must feel that Afghanistan’s chances are quite bleak now. This wicket was always on the cards as the batsman had to take their chances to keep up with the asking rate, which is more than 12 now. All eyes on Rashid now.

OUT! Sheldon Cottrell makes up for the earlier drop with an excellent catch. Dawlat Zadran looks to hoick Brathwaite for a six on the on side but doesn’t time it well. Cottrell runs in from long-in and takes a low catch. ​Dawlat Zadran c Cottrell b Brathwaite 1(2)

SIX! Rashid Khan smacks the ball and sends it sailing over Jason Holder at long-off for a six!

OUT! Asghar Afghan reads the slower ball from Brathwaite and hits high in the air. Jason Holder gets underneath the ball and takes an easy catch at long-off. Asghar Afghan c Holder b Brathwaite 40(32)

After 44 overs,Afghanistan 244/6 ( Asghar Afghan 40 , Rashid Khan 1)

Kemar Roach will bowl his final over. Three runs off it. Brilliant spell from him. Took three wickets and gave away just 37 runs off his 10 overs including two maidens. Afghanistan need 68 runs off 36 balls.

After 43 overs,Afghanistan 241/6 ( Asghar Afghan 38 , Rashid Khan 1)

Asghar Afghan is not going down without a fight. He hits Holder for back to back boundaries — one over extra cover and the other towards fine leg. And Holder drops Asghar! He hit the ball back at Holder with real venom but the Windies captain couldn’t keep the ball in his hands. Afghanistan need 71 runs off 42 balls.

The highest target successfully chased by Afghanistan in ODIs is 274 which they chased against U.A.E. at Dubai in 2014.

Afghanistan are going down here. From 189 from 1 they are now tottering at 229 for 6. Some irresponsible shots have been played by some of the experienced batters. Though, they are not out of the contest yet as Asghar is still out there and Rashid too can use the long handle.

FOUR! Holder comes around the wicket and bowls a full toss at Asghar’s legs. The former skipper flicks the ball fine past short fine-leg for a second successive boundary.

FOUR! Asghar Afghan clears his front foot and smacks Jason Holder inside out towards the extra cover fence.

After 42 overs,Afghanistan 229/6 ( Asghar Afghan 28 , Rashid Khan 0)

Roach continues. He’s using his slower ball very well. Asghar and Samiullah are not able to read the ball at all. Samiullah ends up dragging the ball from outside off and holes out to Hetmyer in the deep. Rashid Khan joins Asghar in the middle. Afghanistan need 83 runs off 48 balls.

OUT! Samiullah Shinwari fails to pick up the slower ball and smacks the ball straight down Shimron Hetmyer’s throat at deep mid-wicket. Samiullah Shinwari c Hetmyer b Roach 6 (9b)

After 41 overs,Afghanistan 226/5 ( Asghar Afghan 26 , Samiullah Shinwari 6)

Holder comes back into the attack. Gives away just six runs. Tidy over from the skipper. Afghanistan need 86 off 54 balls.

After 40 overs,Afghanistan 220/5 ( Asghar Afghan 24 , Samiullah Shinwari 3)

Roach into his eight over. He starts with a wide slower ball which Asghar can’t cut away. His second ball is also a slow one at yorker length which Asghar digs out for a single. More slower balls follow which Asghar and Samiullah hit for singles. Five runs off the over. Afghanistan need 92 off 60 balls.

After 39 overs,Afghanistan 215/5 ( Asghar Afghan 21 , Samiullah Shinwari 1)

Sheldon Cottrell continues. Asghar Afghan takes matters into his own hands. Pummels a slower delivery for a huge six and follows it up with a boundary at backward point. He dabs the fifth ball towards deep mid-wicket and hurries back for the second. 14 runs off the over.

FOUR! And Asghar follows up the six with a cut which bisects point and third man for a four.

SIX! What a mammoth hit from Asghar Afghan! He read Cottrell’s slower ball well and bludgeoned it over deep mid-wicket for a six!

After 38 overs,Afghanistan 201/5 ( Asghar Afghan 8 , Samiullah Shinwari 0)

Kemar Roach is back for his second spell. He first three balls are dot balls which puts pressure on Nabi. He looks to hit Roach over covers for a six but gives an easy catch to Fabian Allen in the deep. Afghanistan going down in a heap.

OUT! Mohammad Nabi, the hero for Afghanistan against India, looks to hit Roach over covers for a six but finds Fabian Allen at the boundary. Afghanistan collapsing after a good start. Nabi c Fabian Allen b Roach 2(6)

That was uncalled for. Najib, one of their designated finishers has run himself out. Two wickets within three deliveries and the game changes. That’s what the problem is for an inexperienced side like Afghanistan. In this World Cup, Afghans have failed to get home despite being in winning positions. They lack the knockout punch.

After 37 overs,Afghanistan 201/4 ( Asghar Afghan 8 , Mohammad Nabi 2)

Cottrell continues. Five runs off it and Afghanistan also bring up their 200.

Ikram Ali Khil missed out on becoming the youngest player to score a ton in a World Cup but he still holds the record for scoring most runs in an ODI World Cup match for a batsman aged 18 or less.

He scored 86 today.

After 36 overs,Afghanistan 196/4 ( Asghar Afghan 6 , Mohammad Nabi 0)

Gayle with a match-turning over! Removes the dangerous Ikram and then plays his part in getting Najibullah run out. Two big wickets and eight runs off the over.

OUT! Poor communication between Najibullah and Asghar and the left-hander is run out! Asghar played the ball towards mid-wicket. Gayle went after the ball. Asghar and Najibullah stutter while deciding to go for the second run but that’s too long. Hetmyer charges in from deep mid-wicket and his throw is accurate and over the stumps. Najibullah is run out at the non-striker’s end. Najibullah run out (Hetmyer) 31(38)

FOUR! Asghar Afghan comes out and sweeps a Gayle full toss beyond Kemar Roach at backward square leg. Gayle not happy with the fielding effort.

OUT! The Universe Boss strikes! Gayle couldn’t star with the bat today but has delivered with the ball. Ikram looks to sweep but can’t connect with the ball and ends up being rapped on the pads. Hope appeals loudly. Gayle just turns to umpire with arms raised and laughs. Nigel Llong raises his finger. Ikram reviews unsuccessfully. Big wicket for West Indies! Ikram Ali departs after playing a beautiful knock. Ikram Ali Khil lbw b Gayle 86(93)

After 35 overs,Afghanistan 187/2 ( Ikram Ali Khil (W) 86 , Najibullah Zadran 29)

Jason Holder brings back his strike bowler Sheldon Cottrell in the hopes of another wicket. Ikram looks to attack the left-arm seamer but can’t get the timing right. Five runs off it.

Afghanistan were sloppy on the field but West Indies are looking even more sloppier. Misfields, dropped catches, miss-stumpings — we have seen everything so far in this innings. In fact, Holder’s boys are looking a bit rattled at this point as the opposition are dominating proceedings. Let’s not forget that Afghanistan have beaten West Indies in three out of their last four completed ODIs.

After 34 overs,Afghanistan 182/2 ( Ikram Ali Khil (W) 83 , Najibullah Zadran 27)

Gayle is keeping it tight from the other end. He errs just once with a full toss but escapes with only giving away a single. Two in total off the over. Time for a drinks break.

After 33 overs,Afghanistan 180/2 ( Ikram Ali Khil (W) 82 , Najibullah Zadran 26)

Brathwaite is welcomed to his sixth over with a huge six straight over his head. Misfields from Roach and Cottrell allows Ikram to get a second run off the third and fourth balls. An expensive over this. 13 runs off it.

SIX! Brathwaite bowls in the slot and Najibullah hits the ball straight over his head for a huge six!

After 32 overs,Afghanistan 167/2 ( Ikram Ali Khil (W) 77 , Najibullah Zadran 18)

Gayle continues. He’s bowling well for a part-times. Keeping his lengths tight, which is what Holder is expecting off his main spinner Allen. Gayle gives away only three runs as the required rate creeps over 8 per over.

After 31 overs,Afghanistan 164/2 ( Ikram Ali Khil (W) 76 , Najibullah Zadran 16)

Brathwaite continues. Afghanistan get a free-hit as West Indies don’t have the required five players inside the circle. Najibullah can’t take advantage of it and hits the ball straight to mid-off. Zadran gets a lucky boundary off the over which goes for six runs.

FOUR! Lucky boundary for Najibullah! The ball flies off the edge, Oshane Thomas tries to stop the ball at short-third man but fails to stop it.

After 30 overs,Afghanistan 155/2 ( Ikram Ali Khil (W) 74 , Najibullah Zadran 10)

Missed stumping! Najibullah takes a big stride trying to sweep Gayle but misses the ball. He is a long way out of the crease. However, Hope fails to collect the ball cleanly and stumps him without the ball in his gloves. That’s a big chance wasted. Just one run off the over.

After 29 overs,Afghanistan 154/2 ( Ikram Ali Khil (W) 73 , Najibullah Zadran 10)

Brathwaite continues. He gives away six runs off his first three balls including a boundary. Eight runs off the over.

So it has taken a tumbling catch from the ‘Universe Boss’ to bring West Indies back in this contest. They needed that breakthrough badly. Rahmat was Afghanistan’s first-choice batsman to anchor this innings. However, he is out of the reckoning now. Now it is upto Ikram and Najib.

FOUR! Ikram pulls Brathwaite over mid-wicket for boundary and brings up the 150 for Afghanistan!

After 28 overs,Afghanistan 146/2 ( Ikram Ali Khil (W) 67 , Najibullah Zadran 8)

Gayle into his second over. Najibullah punches the second ball through covers for a couple. Good fielding from Cottrell at short third man to save a couple of runs for his team. Zadran plays a powerful cover drive on the last ball but Hetmyers puts in a last-ditch dive to save a run for his team.

After 27 overs,Afghanistan 139/2 ( Ikram Ali Khil (W) 67 , Najibullah Zadran 1)

Brathwaite continues and he strikes to get the important wicket of Rahmat Shah. It was a good catch by Gayle low in front of him. Najibullah Zadran joins Ikram in the middle. A wicket and one run off the over.

OUT! Carlos Brathwaite strikes and Rahmat Shah has to depart. He tried to play across the line but got the leading edge. The ball flies to Chris Gayle at extra cover who goes down on his knees and dives forward to grab the ball. Brathwaite joins him on the grass and the duo celebrates with a series of pushups. Rahmat c Gayle b Brathwaite 62(78)

After 26 overs,Afghanistan 138/1 ( Rahmat Shah 62 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 67)

Chris Gayle is into the attack now! The Universe Boss will try to break this stand with his gentle off-spinners. Ikram and Rahmat work the ball around the park for singles. Six off it.

We didn’t expect that from Cottrell! 

Sheldon just dropping the kind of catch that makes you forgot all his cray cray fielding for this entire tournament.

— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) July 4, 2019

After 25 overs,Afghanistan 132/1 ( Rahmat Shah 59 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 64)

Dropped! Oh Sheldon Cottrell! Rahmat Shah plays a wild shot and mishits the ball high in the air. Cottrell, who has been one of the best fielders during the World Cup, comes under it at long-on but drops an easy catch! He’s disgusted. Windies have another chance to get a wicket but Roach can’t hit the stumps from backward point. Four runs off Brathwaite’s over.

After 24 overs,Afghanistan 128/1 ( Rahmat Shah 57 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 62)

Holder into his sixth over now. Afghanistan are ahead of West Indies at the same stage of the innings but they’ll need to keep the scoring rate at the same level as the Windies had scored 100 off the last 10 overs. Holder bowls well but strays on his last ball to give away a four.

FOUR! Holder strays down the leg side and Ikram flicks it behind for a boundary at fine leg.

Youngest players to score a fifty in ODI WC:

17y 362d — Tamim Iqbal v India, Port of Spain, 2007

18y 234d — Mohammad Ashraful v NZ, Kimberley, 2003

18y 278d — Ikram Ali Khil v WI, Leeds, 2019*

This is the first century stand for Afghanistan in ODI World Cups. Their previous highest stand in ODI World Cups was 94, which came between Asghar Afghan and Hashmatullah Shahidi​ at Manchester in 2019 against England.

Ikram Ali Khil is proving his critics wrong who initially questioned his batting skills. He came in the tournament as a replacement of Shahzad and was immediately thrown in the middle. He batted down the order in most of the matches and hardly got an opportunity to showcase his talent. Today, it has been an excellent move by the team management to push him to No 3 and the result is here to be seen.

After 23 overs,Afghanistan 122/1 ( Rahmat Shah 56 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 57)

A change in the bowling now. Carlos Brathwaite is handed the ball to try and break this partnership with his medium pace. Rahmat looks to play across the line on the first ball but is rapped on the thigh pad. He errs with his line and is driven for a boundary off his second ball. Ikram charges down the ground on the last delivery and chips the ball down to long-on for a single. Six off Brathwaite’s first over.

FOUR! Poor delivery from Brathwaite! He bowls it full and Rahmat plays a perfectly-timed on-drive past the fielder at mid-on.

After 22 overs,Afghanistan 116/1 ( Rahmat Shah 51 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 56)

Jason Holder continues and is hit for a four off the second ball by the 18-year-old Ikram Ali. Ikram tucks the ball at square leg and the duo show excellent running to come back for a second run. Holder goes for seven off his fifth over.

They deserve the praise! 

Dear Afghanistan cricket, Rehmat Shah & Ikram Alikhil are your long term top order batsmen. Organised technique, calm temperament,good runners between the wickets, stick with them, give them a long rope they will serve you well. #Afghanistancricketteam #CWCUP2019

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) July 4, 2019

FOUR! Ikram sees the fielder at mid-on up in the circle and whacks the ball in the air. The ball flies high and lands inside the boundary. Mid-on and mid-off sprint ti save the boundary but the ball wins the race in the end.

After 21 overs,Afghanistan 109/1 ( Rahmat Shah 50 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 50)

Allen once again goes for runs. Ikram continues his attack on the off-spinner and brings up his first ODI half-century. Eight runs off the over.

FIFTY for Ikram Ali! He pulls the ball to the mid-wicket boundary to bring up his first ODI 50. This is one heck of a knock from the youngster.

FOUR! Allen bowls short and Ikram rocks back and punches the ball through covers!

After 20 overs,Afghanistan 101/1 ( Rahmat Shah 50 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 42)

Holder continues. The required run rate is just under seven now. But these two have given Afghanistan a very good platform here. Holder gives just one run off his over.

The Afghan contingent in the crowd has started to make their presence felt. The cheers are getting louder. On the field, an excellent phase of play for the ‘Blue Tigers’. In the previous few matches Afghanistan made teams like India and Pakistan sweat. However, in the end they failed to finish those games. Still a long way to go today, but Afghanistan are certainly making this game interesting.

After 19 overs,Afghanistan 100/1 ( Rahmat Shah 50 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 41)

An expensive over from Fabian Allen. Ikram and Rahmat get a boundary each of the spinner with Rahmat also getting his first 50 of the World Cup. A composed knock from the opener this.

FIFTY for Rahmat Shah! His first of the World Cup and he has provided Afghanistan with a good platform to get their first win of the World Cup.

FOUR! A quicker ball from Allen and Rahmat plays a late cut shot. Lewis puts in a dive at short third-man but the ball rolls past him for a boundary!

FOUR! Ikram comes down the track and hits the ball over mid-off for a four!

After 18 overs,Afghanistan 88/1 ( Rahmat Shah 44 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 35)

Jason Holder continues after drinks. Rahmat Shah was getting his leg muscles stretched during the break. He pulls the fourth ball for a boundary and Ikram gets a couple off a no-ball on the last delivery. Afghanistan get a free hit. Rahmat clears his front foot to whack the ball on the leg side but finds the fielder at long on.

FOUR! Holder bowls it shortish on the middle stump. Rahmat quickly gets on the backfoot and pulls the ball towards the square leg fence.

After 17 overs,Afghanistan 80/1 ( Rahmat Shah 38 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 34)

Fabian Allen, left-arm off-spinner comes into the attack. Ikram looks to attack the spinner mistimes his shot on the third ball and the ball flies in the air. Oshane Thomas at mid-off chases after it but the ball just about sails past him. The athletic Allen is not happy with his teammate’s effort. Six runs off his first over. And we take drinks.

After 16 overs,Afghanistan 74/1 ( Rahmat Shah 36 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 30)

Jason Holder resumes. Hits the right length the entire over save the last ball which he bowls a bit wide. Rahmat uses the pace to cut the ball beyond point for a four.

FOUR! Good shot from Rahmat to end the over. Bowled wide and Rahmat cuts it past backward point. Thomas runs in from third man and tries to stop the ball with his foot but fails.

After 15 overs,Afghanistan 70/1 ( Rahmat Shah 32 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 30)

Thomas continues. He has been a bit expensive so far but bowls a good tight over. Only three runs off it.

After 14 overs,Afghanistan 67/1 ( Rahmat Shah 31 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 29)

Jason Holder brings himself into the attack to replace Kemar Roach. And he almost strikes on the second ball. He entices Rahmat to drive but the ball misses the outside edge by a whisker. A good first over from the skipper. Two off it.

After 13 overs,Afghanistan 65/1 ( Rahmat Shah 30 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 28)

Thomas continues. An expensive over for him as Rahmat Shah unleashes some good shots for a couple of boundaries. 11 runs off the over.

FOUR! What a beautiful shot to end the over! Thomas pitches it fuller and Rahmat drives it gracefully through covers for the second boundary of the over.

FOUR! Rahmat reads the length and pulls the ball in front of square for a boundary!

After 12 overs,Afghanistan 54/1 ( Rahmat Shah 21 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 26)

Roach is into his sixth over now. Ikram and Rahmat looked settled now. If only their captain was a calm as they have been since his departure. Five singles off the over.

Finally, some sanity in the proceedings for Afghanistan. Both Rahmat and Ikram are batting sensibly. Especially, the right-handed Rahmat has shown some good back-foot play as Afghanistan continue to hang in.

After 11 overs,Afghanistan 49/1 ( Rahmat Shah 19 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 23)

Thomas continues. Rahmat Shah gets his fourth boundary in the over. Five runs off the over.

FOUR! Thomas bowls it short and wide allowing Rahmat to punch the ball off the backfoot for a boundary.

What Rashid should have done in first innings! 

When he was bowling in the death Rashid Khan bowled the perfect length to deny batsmen the big hits. Unfortunately he bowled the same length through a 50 overs inngs. He must get fuller. Afghanistan don’t want him economical they want him wicket taking in 50 overs cricket.

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) July 4, 2019

After 10 overs,Afghanistan 44/1 ( Rahmat Shah 15 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 22)

Roach continues and he gets hit for a four straight over his head by Ikram on the first ball. This 18-year-old is showing positive intent in the opening stages. Not going for reckless shots but waiting for the bad balls. He gets seven runs off the over.

FOUR! How about that! Roach bowls it in the slot and Ikram smashes the ball straight over Roach’s head for a four!

After 9 overs,Afghanistan 37/1 ( Rahmat Shah 15 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 15)

Change in bowling. Oshane Thomas replaces Sheldon Cottrell. Ikram guides the first ball towards third man for an easy couple. Ikram tries to cut the fourth ball but misses it. Three runs off it.

After 8 overs,Afghanistan 34/1 ( Rahmat Shah 15 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 12)

Roach continues. He has been the better bowler among the two Windies opening bowlers. Has been tight with his line but errs once which results in a four on the on side. Five runs off the over.

FOUR! Roach pitches it fuller on the leg side and is punished for it by Rahmat who flicks it towards the square leg boundary.

After 7 overs,Afghanistan 29/1 ( Rahmat Shah 11 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 11)

Cottrell off to a poor start. Bowls a wide down the leg side and then is hit past point for a boundary. His third ball flies over Rahmat’s head and is called a wide. He gets back in the over with a couple of good deliveries before straying from his line and ending the over with another boundary.

FOUR! Good shot from Rahmat Shah! The ball is bowled on his pads but he flicks it nonchalantly through mid-wicket for a boundary!

FOUR! Cottrell bowls it wide and Rahmat cuts it past point to get his first boundary of the match! Crisp shot that.

After 6 overs,Afghanistan 19/1 ( Rahmat Shah 3 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 11)

Roach into his third over. Rahmat plays a good drive off his back foot but Fabian Allen dives to his right to prevent a certain boundary. Ikram drives the final delivery through covers and the ball was in the air for a bit. Thankfully, for Ikram, there was no fielder. He gets a couple. Roach concedes just three runs off his third.

After 5 overs,Afghanistan 16/1 ( Rahmat Shah 2 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 9)

A beautiful ball from Cottrell to begin his third over! Full and wide of off stump tempting Rahmat to play the drive. He misses the ball completely as the ball whizzes past his outside edge. Rahmat gets off strike with a single at backward point. Ikram gets a boundary. Cottrell ends the over with another excellent delivery. Full and wide and enticing Ikram to drive but the ball flies past the edge.

FOUR! Cottrell strays with his line and bowls down the leg side for the left-handed Ikram. With fine leg up in the circle, Ikram is able to guide the ball for his first boundary.

After 4 overs,Afghanistan 11/1 ( Rahmat Shah 1 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 5)

Roach continues. Ikram is looking to attack the Windies bowler early on but he has not got his timing right so far. Case in point Roach’s third ball. Ikram got under the short ball but couldn’t middle it well enough to get it past the fielder at short mid-wicket. A maiden over for Roach.

This is reckless batting by the skipper. Gifted his wicket away. Afghanistan needed a solid start upfront to have any sort of chance in this game and being an experienced cricketer, Naib should have realised that. Looks like it has been a long tour for the Afghan boys. They are going through the motions now and eager to get back home.

After 3 overs,Afghanistan 11/1 ( Rahmat Shah 1 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 5)

Cottrell continues from the football ground end. Rahmat gets in a good position to smack Cottrell’s fourth ball which is bowled short but gets his timing wrong. He manages to sneak a single though.

After 2 overs,Afghanistan 8/1 ( Rahmat Shah 0 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 3)

Kemar Roach will bowl from the other end. He has two slips in place for Gulbadin. Naib pulls the second ball for a four but throws his wicket away on the next ball going for a slog. Ikram Ali is the new man to walk in. Roach welcomes him with a vicious short ball. Ikram somehow manages to pull it square of fine leg. It was destined to go for a boundary but Cottrell puts in a dive to save two runs for his team. A very good over for the Windies.

OUT! Roach strikes! He bowls it fuller this time around. Naib looks to smack the ball towards the cow corner but mistimes it and gives an easy catch to Evin Lewis at square leg. Naib c Lewis b Roach 5(6)

FOUR! Roach bowls it short angling in. Gulbadin reads it well and pulls for a four behind square leg.

After 1 overs,Afghanistan 1/0 ( Gulbadin Naib (C) 1 , Rahmat Shah 0)

A good over to begin with by Cottrell. Just the one run off it. Afghanistan would like to play out the first powerplay without losing any wickets. That would set up an interesting match.

Time for the Afghanistan chase! Gulbadin Naib and Rahmat Shah walk out to bat. Sheldon Cottrell has been given the new ball.

That dropped catch in the last ball of the innings, sums up Afghanistan’s performance in this World Cup. There have been sparks in between but those are yet to get ignited. Nevertheless, on this pitch 311 should be enough for the West Indies to keep Afghanistan winless in this competition. The Afghans had their moments in the middle overs but did not capitalise on those opportunities.

Most sixes by West Indies skippers in an ODI WC match:

7 – Viv Richards v SL, Karachi, 1987

4 – Jason Holder v SA, Sydney, 2015

4 – Jason Holder v Afg, Leeds, 2019*

After 50 overs,West Indies 311/6 ( Carlos Brathwaite 14 , Fabian Allen 0)

111 in the last 10 overs for Windies as they finish on 311/6 after 50 overs. Two wickets in the final over for Shirzad but Windies batters have done enough to post a massive total. 16 from the last over.

FOUR! Brathwaite went for a shot down the ground. Placed it straight to the long on fielder but Naib dropped it as it ran to the fence. He is blaming the sun for the dropped catch

FOUR! Shirzad took pace off the ball as Brathwaite went across the line and the edge went past the keeper for a four

SIX! Super shot. Length ball from Shirzad has been clobbered over the long on fence for a maximum

OUT! Holder c Dawlat Zadran b Shirzad 45(34)

The slower delivery gets Afghanistan the wicket. Shorter delivery and Holder played across the line but top-edged the shot to the long leg fielder.

OUT! N Pooran run out (Ikram Alikhil/Sayed Shirzad) 58 (43)

Pooran was haflway down the track after Holder failed to connect to a wide delivery. But Holder had no plans to leave the crease. Pooran was forced to run back but he was away out of the crease as the bails were removed.

After 49 overs,West Indies 297/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 58 , Jason Holder (C) 45)

Just the over Windies needed to reach to te 300-run mark. Zadran wanted to bowl a yorker, missed his mark and the low full toss was thrashed over cow corner by Holder for a six. Pooran added another maximum with a slap down the ground while keeper Ikram Ali failed to collect a bouncer as it went to the ropes to bring up 100-run partnership. 20 off the over.

Nicholas Pooran has been rated extremely highly by the Windies team management. In a recent press conference, Chris Gayle even called him as the next big thing in West Indies cricket. And in this World Cup, the left-hander from Barbados has more or less lived up to the expectations. Today, he came in when the Afghan spinners were bowling well. But he has shown a lot of intent, used his feet against spin and dominated the bowling.

SIX! It looked like Pooran had miscued his shot as he went for a slap down the ground but he got enough to clear the fence

SIX! This a gift at this time. A low full toss from Zadran and Holder smokes it over mid wicket for a maximum

After 48 overs,West Indies 277/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 50 , Jason Holder (C) 38)

10 overs up for Mujeeb. He finishes with figures of 52/0. 10 off his last over including a four for Holder while Pooran completed his fifty.

FOUR! Fuller delivery from Mujeeb and Holder guides it to the third man fence by opening the face of the bat at last moment

FIFTY! Pooran collects a triple with a shot over backward point and that takes him to his half-century

After 47 overs,West Indies 267/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 46 , Jason Holder (C) 33)

Good over for Windies with two powerful shots. 15 off the over. Pooran smacked his pull shot to wide of long on for a four before Holder clobbered one over cow corner.

SIX! Slower delivery from Zadran and this time Holder moves away to make space and swings it over deep mid-wicket

FOUR! Short and slower delivery from Zadran as Pooran pulled it away, giving no chance to the fielders

The inexperience in the Afghanistan camp is showing here. Their lengths in these final overs are from ideal and West Indies, despite losing wickets, the have managed to maintain the run-rate.

After 46 overs,West Indies 252/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 40 , Jason Holder (C) 24)

Excellent over from Rashid to finish off his spell. Right line and length restricts Windies batsmen to just six in the over. Rashid finishes with figures of 10-0-52-1.

After 45 overs,West Indies 247/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 38 , Jason Holder (C) 22)

Big over for Windies! 16 off it as pressure takes its toll on Mujeeb. Holder swept a tossed up ball over cow corner for a six before Pooran put the away the legside ball to fine leg fence. Pooran finishes the over with cut on off for a boundary.

England and West Indies are the only teams to have hit 50-plus sixes in this tournament so far.

FOUR! Pooran stayed deep in his crease, moved across to play the cut shot on off past the point fielder

FOUR! Mujeeb is under pressure and has lost his line as he fired one in on leg which has been put away by Pooran to fine leg fence

SIX! 98m maximum! Carom ball from Mujeeb and Holder smoked that over cow corner for his second six

After 44 overs,West Indies 230/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 29 , Jason Holder (C) 15)

11 from the over of Rashid. Holder finds his first boundary and it is a six. Went with the spin to top-end his slice shot over long off.

SIX! Holder didn’t find the proper connect. Hit the ball with toe-end of the bat but with the spin as the ball went past the long off fence

After 43 overs,West Indies 219/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 26 , Jason Holder (C) 7)

Pooran moves across on first ball to crash his shot over cover for  a four off Mujeeb. Pressure from the first ball but Mujeeb does well to give away just three more in the over.

FOUR! Cracking shot. Pooran backed away a bit to give himself some space and thrashed his drive over cover off Mujeeb

After 42 overs,West Indies 212/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 20 , Jason Holder (C) 6)

Rashid into attack and Afghanistan have removed the slip fielder but cricket is a funny sport. Next ball is edged by Pooran which went off keeper’s gloves but there was no one at slip to grab it. Three off the over.

After 41 overs,West Indies 209/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 18 , Jason Holder (C) 5)

Pooran is riding his luck at Headingley. He clobbered a drive to wide of mid off where Naib put in a dive but failed to hold onto the catch. Very difficult chance. Pooran then punished Shirzad with a pull shot to backward square leg fence. Nine off the over.

FOUR! Short delivery from Shirzad and Pooran swiveled on his feet to put it away to backward square leg boundary

DROPPED! Difficult chance. Pooran thrashed his shot to wide of midoff where Naib put in a dive and got his one hand to the ball but could not hold onto the catch

After 40 overs,West Indies 200/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 12 , Jason Holder (C) 2)

Nabi is done for the day with the ball. And he finishes with figures of 10-0-56-1. Not a bad return considering there’s no help for the spinners at Leeds. 200 up for Windies. How many can they get now?

After 39 overs,West Indies 196/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 9 , Jason Holder (C) 1)

Two wickets in quick succession and that has allowed Afghanistan to bring Shirzad back into attack in place of Zadran. Pooran ended up doing a Hetmyer as he played his pull shot to midwicket fielder but it was a difficult chance and Rahmat Shah couldn’t hold onto it. Four off the over.

DROPPED! This one came at a lightening pace to the mid-wicket fielder. Pull shot from Pooran but fielder could not hold onto it

Wickets in quick successions for Afghanistan. They are coming back in this game through spin. But West Indies are still in a comfortable position and with their power-hitters, they can actually target a score around 300-310.

Nicholas Pooran is the second youngest West Indies batsman to score a ton in ODI World Cups, he achieved the feat in the last match against SL at Chester-le-Street.

After 38 overs,West Indies 192/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 6 , Jason Holder (C) 0)

Hope charged at Nabi with two consecutive fours on the first two deliveries. But the spinner outsmarted Hope by changing the angle. Went round the wicket. Cramped him for space as Hope placed his slog sweep into the hands of mid wicket fielder. Despite Nabi’s smartness, Hope should have done better there. He got two fours already. There was no need for another attacking shot. Jason Holder is the new batsman.

OUT! Shai Hope c Rashid Khan b Nabi 77(92)

Hope has thrown it away again. There is no demon in the pitch. He could have played a big innings but he got greedy. After hitting two fours, went for another big shot. But Nabi changed the angle from coming round the wicket as the slog sweep was taken at cow corner.

FOUR! There’s no spin on offer and Hope doesn’t mind taking the risk as he sat down to drill the full ball down the ground

FOUR! Inside-out drive to wide of mid off which Asghar Afghan could have saved but his dive went in vain

After 37 overs,West Indies 184/3 ( Shai Hope (W) 69 , Nicholas Pooran 6)

Zadran continues. Huge appeal for lbw against Hope as he got beaten while playing a flick but it looked going down and umpire wasn’t interested. Four off the over.

After 36 overs,West Indies 180/3 ( Shai Hope (W) 66 , Nicholas Pooran 5)

Rashid continues from the other end. Just two from the over. There are many big-hitters in this Windies line-up but they need Hope to play deep to set up a massive total.

Fielding has been a major disappointment for Afghanistan in this World Cup. Right from the first game against Australia, their ground fielding, as well as catching, has been very poor. For a developing team, this is one aspect, where they can be extremely competitive. Unfortunately, in this World Cup Afghanistan haven’t excelled in this area.

After 35 overs,West Indies 178/3 ( Shai Hope (W) 65 , Nicholas Pooran 4)

The bowling change has worked fro Afghanistan as Zadran removes Hetmyer on his return. Hetmyer went for a full-blooded pull shot but couldn’t keep it wide of the fielder as Noor Ali dived to his right at mid-wicket to take a brilliant catch. Nicholas Pooran gets off the mark with a four on his first ball.

FOUR! Nicholas Pooran gets off the mark with a boundary on first ball with a pull shot to mid wicket

OUT! Hetmyer c (sub)Noor Ali b Dawlat Zadran 39(31) 

Once again Hetmyer throws away his wicket after a solid start. Went to pull the short ball from Zadran but failed to keep it wide of the mid-wicket fielder as Noor Ali took a brilliant catch on his right with a dive.

SIX! Hope shows his class as he gets on top of the length ball to crash it down the ground for a maximum

After 34 overs,West Indies 165/2 ( Shai Hope (W) 57 , Shimron Hetmyer 38)

Loud appeal for lbw against Hetmyer after he was hit on the pads by Rashid but Naib wasn’t interested and he was spot on. Height was a big factor. An opportunity for a dismissal on last ball after Hetmyer top-edged his sweep shot in the air but none of the fielders managed to get close to the catch.

After 33 overs,West Indies 160/2 ( Shai Hope (W) 55 , Shimron Hetmyer 36)

Seven off the over from Shirzad’s fifth over. The current rate is 4.85 and it’s a good time for Afghanistan to bowl out the pacer as we inch towards the death overs.

After 32 overs,West Indies 153/2 ( Shai Hope (W) 54 , Shimron Hetmyer 31)

Three dot deliveries from Mujeeb and then Hope decides to play a reverse sweep but unfortunately found the short third man. Managed to take single on the last ball to retain strike.

After 31 overs,West Indies 152/2 ( Shai Hope (W) 53 , Shimron Hetmyer 31)

Shirzad continues. Hope collects a single with a shot to square leg to bring up 150 for Windies. Five off the over.

Third World Cup half-century for Hope. He has been the shining light for West Indies in this World Cup and today he is making Afghanistan pay for that missed opportunity. The boys from the Caribbean are in a role here, especially in the last 10 overs as 61 runs have come in this period.

After 30 overs,West Indies 147/2 ( Shai Hope (W) 50 , Shimron Hetmyer 29)

Fifty up for Hope and he has helped Windies lay a strong foundation. A six in the over for Hetmyer as he goes big against spin over long on. Lack of turn helped his cause. Was attempting the same on last ball but was beaten. Appeal for stumping but Hetmyer’s foot was safely in.

SIX! Hetmyer goes against the spin with lack of turn on offer and smokes the ball from Nabi over long on for a maximum

This is Shai Hope’s seventh fifty-plus score out of his last 15 ODI innings including today. He was dismissed bowled in each of this last three ODI innings before today.

FIFTY! Half-century for Hope in 65 deliveries. He is back in form after a mini slump

After 29 overs,West Indies 139/2 ( Shai Hope (W) 49 , Shimron Hetmyer 22)

Afghanistan have gone back to Shirzad. Who bowls a short delivery to Hetmyer with the fine leg inside the circle. Hetmyer obliged, moved across and played the pull shot to the fence. Six off the over.

FOUR! Short delivery outside off by Shirzad which Hetmyer drags to the fine leg fence with the flamingo pull. Well played

After 28 overs,West Indies 133/2 ( Shai Hope (W) 48 , Shimron Hetmyer 17)

Hetmyer has changed things out here. Putting Windies back on top despite them losing a wicket recently. Smoked two fours in the over against Nabi. Spin can’t be the option against him.

FOUR! This time to the extra cover. Width offered by Nabi and Hetmyer plays the inside-out drive to find the gap on off

FOUR! Nabi from round the wicket helped Hetmyer with the angle as he played his shot down the ground to long on

After 27 overs,West Indies 121/2 ( Shai Hope (W) 46 , Shimron Hetmyer 7)

Rashid needs to be consistent with his line to pick up more wickets. Bowled a short delivery outside off that was cut by Hope past point for a boundary.

FOUR! Length delivery but outside off as Hope played the cut shot late against Rashid to find the gap on offside

After 26 overs,West Indies 117/2 ( Shai Hope (W) 42 , Shimron Hetmyer 7)

Nabi back into attack and new batsman Hetmyer has made his intentions clear from the start. Got onto his knees against the full ball to slam it over long off. Eight off the over.

SIX! Oh, that was was smoked over long off. Fuller delivery from Nabi and Hetmyer got onto his knees to hit the shot in front of the wicket

After 25 overs,West Indies 109/2 ( Shai Hope (W) 41 , Shimron Hetmyer 0)

A wicket for Rashid and he’s so relived. Celebrating with his arms spread wide. He was hit for two fours at the beginning of the over but came back well. Fired in a short delivery as Lewis messed up his timing on the pull shot for Nabi to take a good running catch.

Rashid Khan took 12 wickets from four ODI innings at an average of 9.75 against West Indies in ODIs. Here, he is with another scalp.

OUT! Lewis c Nabi b Rashid Khan 58(78) 

Lewis wanted to up the ante and threw his bat on the delivery for a pull shot but it was fired in quickly by Rashid. And batsman failed to find the timing as Nabi took a good running catch.

FOUR! Attacking shot. Hope rocked back after spotting a short ball and played his shot to the mid wicket

FOUR! Rashid finds some spin as Hope went with hard hands for a punch but edged the ball past the keeper

After 24 overs,West Indies 100/1 ( Evin Lewis 58 , Shai Hope (W) 32)

Lewis survives an lbw appeal after he his hit on pads, by Mujeeb, trying to play a sweep shot. Afghanistan took a review but it was umpire’s call on impact and Hope stays at the crease. 100 up for Windies.

REVIEW AND NOT OUT! Lewis is hit on pads off Mujeeb as he went for a sweep shot. Not out given. Afghanistan take a review but umpire’s call saves the batsman

After 23 overs,West Indies 97/1 ( Evin Lewis 57 , Shai Hope (W) 31)

Change of ends for Rashid as he replaces Nabi. Quite a unique shot in the over from Lewis. Wanted to play the sweep shot but due to lack of proper length adjusted late to flick it behind square for a boundary. Six off the over.

FOUR! Lewis was hoping to play a sweep shot but changed his mind in the last minute to flick the shot behind square off Rashid

After 22 overs,West Indies 91/1 ( Evin Lewis 52 , Shai Hope (W) 30)

Mujeeb back into attack for Afghanistan. A beautiful carom ball in the over to beat the outside edge of Hope. Three singles in the over for Windies.

After 21 overs,West Indies 89/1 ( Evin Lewis 52 , Shai Hope (W) 28)

Hint of spin in the over for Nabi as he gets one to move away from Lewis with some steep bounce. Two off the over.

After 20 overs,West Indies 86/1 ( Evin Lewis 50 , Shai Hope (W) 27)

Windies batters look pretty content with the singles and may be will wait for a while before bringing out slam-bang shots. Meanwhile, fifty for Lewis. He has been good today. Four of the over.

FIFTY! Lewis brings up his half-century in 62 deliveries. Round of applause from the crowd. He has been good today

After 19 overs,West Indies 82/1 ( Evin Lewis 48 , Shai Hope (W) 25)

Nabi continues. Just one from the over. It has been long since the last boundary came and pressure is piling up. We can soon see a wicket or big shots.