West Indies Sets New Powerplay Scoring Record In T20 World Cup Against Afghanistan

West Indies achieved a historic milestone in the PowerPlay during a Group C match against Afghanistan at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia, on Tuesday, June 18. The team recorded the highest PowerPlay score in T20 World Cup history.

After losing opener Brandon King in the second over, Johnson Charles and Nicholas Pooran formed a formidable partnership. They shared a 50-run stand within just 13 balls and went on to post 92 runs in the first six overs.

This performance broke the previous record for the highest PowerPlay total in T20 World Cup history. The earlier record was held by the Netherlands, who scored 91 runs against Ireland in the 2014 edition at Sylhet.

1. West Indies - 92/1 vs Afghanistan - Gros Islet, 2024
2. Netherlands - 91/1 vs Ireland - Sylhet, 2014
3. England - 89/3 vs South Africa - Wankhede, 2016
4. South Africa - 83/0 vs England - Wankhede, 2016
5. India - 82/2 vs Scotland - Dubai, 2021

King contributed 7 runs off 6 balls before being dismissed by Azmatullah Omarzai. Charles (35 off 19 balls) and Pooran (36 off 13 balls) then took charge, dismantling the Afghanistan bowling attack over the next four overs.

The duo hit a total of 12 fours and three sixes during their aggressive play. King had earlier hit one four in his brief innings. Charles and Pooran also added Omarzai to an unwanted list as he registered one of the most expensive overs in T20 World Cup history.

Omarzai conceded 36 runs in a single over, equalling the record held by former England pacer Stuart Broad. Broad had conceded as many runs to former India batter Yuvraj Singh during the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007 when Singh hit six sixes in one over.

This time, Omarzai was hit for three fours and three sixes, including a wide four and a no-ball, all within the fourth over of West Indies' innings. Below is a look at the most expensive overs in T20 World Cup history:

Most Expensive Overs in T20 World Cup History

• Stuart Broad (England) - 36 runs vs India in 2007
• Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan) - 36 runs vs West Indies in 2024
• Jeremy Gordon (Canada) - 33 runs vs USA in 2024
• Izatullah Dawlatzai (Afghanistan) - 32 runs vs England in 2012
• Bilawal Bhatti (Pakistan) - 30 runs vs Australia in 2014

The West Indies' record-breaking performance has added another chapter to T20 World Cup history. Their aggressive batting display set a new benchmark for future teams aiming to excel during the PowerPlay phase.