Chasing 172 to win, West Indies lost eight wickets for 98 runs before Akeal Hosein and Romario Shepherd joined hands to send shockwaves to the entire English camp. The duo took England bowlers to the cleaners and brought down the equation to 30 needed off the final over.
Hosein almost got his side over the finish line by smashing 28, including a couple of fours and three sixes, but it wasn’t enough as the visitors won the battle by just one run. Hosein (44 not out off 16 balls) and Shepherd (44 not out off 28 balls) formed an unbeaten stand of 72 runs for the ninth wicket.
For the tourists, Moeen Ali was the pick of the bowler. The off-spinner bagged three wickets while conceding 24 runs in his quota of 4 overs. Moeen was also named ‘Player of the Match’ after he chipped in with a valuable contribution with the bat as well. The 34-year-old scored a crucial 24-ball 31 during England’s 171/8 in their allotted 20 overs.
However, opener Jason Roy was the top scorer for the English side. He made 45 off 31 with the help of eight boundaries. Tom Banton (25) and Chris Jordon (27) also contributed well to help England reach a competitive total.
“Was a tough surface, to be honest. We thought we got a really good score. We just wanted to give us a few deliveries early on. Then with the ball, we started well. It’s a great wicket to bowl on. I thought me and Rash bowled well in those middle overs. I thought he (Rashid) read the surface really well,” said Moeen after the match.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
3⃣1⃣ ?
3⃣-2⃣4⃣
Moeen ?
Got a message for our Player of the Match?
? #WIvENG ??????? pic.twitter.com/ajgyBsDjQc
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 24, 2022
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