Akeal Hosein's Fifer Powers West Indies To A Commanding Win Over Uganda In T20 World Cup

Providence (Guyana), Jun 9 (PTI): Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein showcased his exceptional skills with a five-wicket haul as hosts West Indies defeated Uganda by 134 runs in the T20 World Cup in Providence, Guyana.

Hosein dismantled the Uganda batting line-up with career-best figures of 5/11, leading to Uganda being bowled out for 39 in 12 overs, matching the lowest team total in the men's T20 World Cup.

Earlier, Johnson Charles (44) emerged as the top scorer while Andre Russell (30 not out) provided the final push to help West Indies post a challenging 173/5.

The victory has significantly boosted West Indies' Net Run Rate to 3.574, aiding their bid to finish in the top two in Group C.

The disparity between the two sides was evident when the West Indies bowlers took charge. Uganda's top order crumbled quickly, with half the side back in the dugout inside the Powerplay.

Opening the bowling, Hosein picked three wickets in as many overs. He struck off the second ball of the innings with Roger Mukasa becoming his first victim. He returned to trap Alpesh Amjani leg-before wicket in the third over.

Riazar Ali Shah became his third victim an over later. The Ugandan batters struggled against Hosein as he claimed two more wickets in his last over, registering his maiden five-wicket haul and achieving the best figures by a West Indian bowler at the T20 World Cup.

What's in the bag, @AHosein21. ????

????️Maiden T20I Fifer
????️2nd best T20I bowling figures for WI
????️6th best bowling figures in a T20 World Cup

Congratulations on your Player of the Match award.????????#WIREADY #T20WorldCup #WIvUGA pic.twitter.com/3yxfec8qpa

Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) June 9, 2024

Brandon King (13) and Charles, who was dropped on 23 in the fourth over, provided a solid start after skipper Rovman Powell opted to bat first.

Left-arm spinner Alpesh Ramjani dismissed King for Uganda's first breakthrough. New batter Nicholas Pooran (22) settled quickly before hitting a maximum over deep mid-wicket.

Charles and Pooran continued to hit boundaries before Uganda skipper Brian Masaba (2/31) ended Pooran's stay with a caught and bowled.

Masaba and off-spinner Frank Nsubuga (0/29) bowled with control as Uganda kept striking at regular intervals, disrupting West Indies' momentum. The Ugandans bowled 53 dot balls. Charles was next to go, caught by Ramjani at long on.

Russell's Late Surge

Shane Rutherford (22) hit a six and a boundary before Masaba dismissed Powell in the 16th over. Russell then hit six boundaries to help West Indies add 49 runs in the last five overs.