West Indies defeated Papua New Guinea by five wickets in a low-scoring thriller at Guyana’s Providence Stadium on Sunday and they have secured the top spot in Group C.
West Indies, who won the titles in 2012 and 2016, are eager to become the first team to win three T20 World Cups and they got just the right start for it.
So far, only two matches have been played in the World Cup with the United States beating Canada in the tournament opener and West Indies beating Papua New Guinea.
T20 World Cup 2024 points table
Group A
Group C
Earlier today, Rovman Powell's side chased the target in 19 overs on the back of a sixth-wicket stand between Roston Chase and Andre Russell.
West Indies had a jitter in the run chase as they lost five wickets for 97 runs and needed 40 off the last four overs.
Chase kept his nerves and steered the home side to a win with not out 27-ball 42. Russell supported with nine-ball 15*.
At the top Brandon King scored 29-ball 34 while Nicholas Pooran made 27-ball 27. Skipper Assad Vala took two wickets for the PNG by giving away 28 runs.
Earlier, West Indies didn't allow PNG to settle early as they kept taking wickets at regular intervals and restricted them to 136-8 after opting to bowl first.
The only notable partnership PNG had was of Sese Bau and Charles Amini for the fifth wicket where they scored 44 runs which gave them some momentum.
Bau was the notable batter, scoring a brilliant 43-ball 50 with the help of a six and half a dozen fours.
Assad Vala made 22-ball 21 with the help of two fours and a six.
Kiplin Doriga (27 not out) chipped in with some vital runs at the backend to take the total to 136/8.
Russell was the pick of the bowlers, bagging figures of 2/19 while Alzarri Joseph took 2/34.
Akeal Hosein, Romario Shepherd and Gudakesh Motie took a wicket apiece.
