Shamar Joseph creates an unmatched T20I record against Italy: The West Indies have made it four in four in the group stages, as they won their final game against Italy by 42 runs on Thursday at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The Windies had already qualified for the Super 8s before the start of this game, and this was a match to keep their momentum going ahead of the next round.
After being invited to bat first, Shai Hope, the captain of the side, played an excellent innings of 75 off 46 balls. Roston Chase and Sherfane Rutherford made some crucial contributions, which helped the side to post a decent total of 165/6 in their 20 overs. Italy’s bowlers, particularly Crishan Kalugamage, kept them in the contest. Kalugamage’s 2/25 and Benjamin Manenti’s 2/37.
Italy had no answer to Shamar Joseph
While coming out to chase, Italy kept losing wickets at regular intervals, as they were bundled out for the score of 123 runs. Benjamin Manenti was the highest scorer with a score of 26 runs; no batter in the side could go past the score of 30 runs. Shamar Joseph was the pick of the bowlers for the West Indies.
Shamar Joseph picked 4/30 in his four-over spell. He bowled brilliantly in the middle overs and then in the death overs. He was brilliant in the field as well, as the ball found him four times as he took four catches in the match. After this, he made a record and etched his name in the history books.
Shamar Joseph adds his name to history books
Shamar Joseph became the first cricketer to bag four wickets and four catches in a T20I international match for both men’s and women’s formats. He achieved the record after picking up the wicket of Thomas Draca in the 17.4 over of the match. Shamar has had a good outing at the T20 World Cup, as he has picked 7 wickets so far in the competition.
Shamar has been the joint leading wicket-taker for the West Indies side in this edition of the major tournament. He has been economical as well, as his economy is 7.75 in the tournament so far. This is the reason he has been in the top 10 leading wicket-takers list in the tournament.
Shamar Joseph opts out of PSL
Shamar Joseph, who was picked in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Islamabad United, is set to be replaced by Zimbabwean seamer Blessing Muzarabani. United picked Joseph for his base price, PKR 11 million, at the PSL auction last Friday.
As per reports from ESPNcricinfo, there has been a mutual termination of the contract. With reports arriving that neither the pacer nor the franchise intends to make a statement on the matter.
Coming to the match, it was a special win for the side as Jason Holder was playing his 300th international match for the Windies. Jason Holder has been the joint-highest wicket-taker for the West Indies in this edition of the tournament. The West Indies have a chance to win this tournament yet again, as the last time they played in India, they were the champions.
