West Indies talismanic batter Nicholas Pooran wants to be consistent for the team after playing a key role in the two-wicket win against India in the second T20I at Providence Stadium, Guyana on Sunday. The pugnacious left-hander scored 67 runs from 40 balls to help the Windies chase down the target of 153 runs and thus take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Pooran walked out to bat with the West Indies tottering at 2-2 after Hardik Pandya gave a perfect start to his team but the southpaw was able to hit the ground running despite a shaky start.
The left-hander scored six fours and four sixes in his blistering knock and gave a much-needed impetus to his team in the Powerplay overs. Pooran continued his recent purple patch and he has an average of 110 while playing at the Providence Stadium, in Guyana.
After six overs, West Indies scored 61-3 with Nicholas Pooran doing the bulk of the scoring, racing to 42 off just 22 balls. When Pooran was dismissed, West Indies was cruising at 126-5 after 14 overs, needing another 27 runs off the last 36 balls. But, the 16th over bowled by Yuzvendra Chahal, yielded three wickets, including a run-out, and thus the match turned on its head.
However, Akeal Hosein and Alzarri Joseph got the home team over the line with an unbeaten alliance of 26 runs off just 17 balls.
Pooran was awarded Player of the Match for his fine knock in the second game. He said in the post-match presentation, “Satisfied that I performed. Something that I have been looking for in the last couple of years, so be there and finish games. I want to be consistent. I have been working so hard, I have made a lot of mistakes, lost a lot of games for my teams. I want to entertain the fans as much as possible. It’s about being positive and confident.”
The third T20I of the series will be played at the same venue of Providence Stadium, Guyana on Tuesday.