AFG VS WI - Match 42, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

That's a wrap to the coverage for the day. Good to see the dead rubber games also providing terrific entertainment. Otherwise, it would make for difficult viewing as the games don't have any context anyway. There's a virtual dead rubber coming tomorrow as well, as Pakistan take on Bangladesh at Lord's. Technically not so as Pakistan have a mathematical chance, only if they bat first, but even that is a very distant possibility. So in all likelihood, it's a game where they will want to sign off with a win. As will Bangladesh who have had a fine campaign themselves but didn't have the moments of luck that they needed. Should hopefully be a fun-filled contest, so do join us for it. On that note, this is Hari Sadanandan signing off on behalf of my mates Vineeth Anantharaman, Sriram AS, Kumar Abhisekh Das, Naga and Vinod. Cheers and goodnight!

Chris Gayle (speaking to the TV broadcasters): I have a few more games, so let's see what happens. The World Cup wasn't the ideal one from my point of view, but there's nothing much we can do about it. But it is definitely my last World Cup ... I would have loved to lift the trophy, but it didn't happen. It was fun ... Life goes on. Words can't really explain what I am going through at the moment. The future definitely looks bright with Hetmyer, Hope, Pooran. They will take the flag forward. They have a young captain in Jason Holder as well. Next for me is to play ODIs against India, a few T20s like the CPL and the Canada T20s.

Jason Holder, West Indies captain: It's good to get over the line. We've had some close encounters in this World Cup. So it's really good to finish with a win. Obviously batters stepped up today. Evin and Shai got a good partnership going. At the back end, myself and Pooran were able to finish well. 300 was a par score I felt on that pitch. They had a good partnership but we stayed strong and came through in the end. (On what went wrong for WI in the WC) I think inconsistency let us down. Our fielding has a lot to improve. The bowlers did really well, credit to each of them. Batting was inconsistent and that also needs to step up. It's hard to say that Chris is playing his last World Cup. He's been an excellent ambassador for West Indies cricket. Would also like to congratulate Ian Gould, the umpire who is officiating his last game on Saturday.

Gulbadin Naib, Afghanistan captain: Definitely a good score (on the chasing effort). At one point, we looked comfortable at the wicket. Khil and Rahmat played really well. In the end, chasing 300-plus isn't that easy. So I am really happy with the fight. Khil is an U19 boy, he showed his class today. Not just him, we have a lot of young talent back home as well. If we can groom them well, it will be nice for us. I learnt a lot in this tournament. (On what Afghanistan needs to work on) Fitness is an issue for us, boys are struggling and it's something we need to work on. Also need to handle the pressure moments more. We need to keep working on bettering our skills. I think the World Cup has been a good learning curve for all of us.

Shai Hope | Player of the match: It's important we got that score on the board. It's not where we would've liked it to be but it's a learning experience and lot to learn from this. It's nice to finish on a high and hopefully I can carry on this form for the next series as well.

West Indies in World Cups:
1975 Champions
1979 Champions
1983 Runners Up
1987 Group stage
1992 Group stage
1996 Semifinal
1999 Group stage
2003 Group stage
2007 Super Eight
2011 Quarterfinal
2015 Quarterfinal
2019 Group stage

Most consecutive losses in World Cups:
18 Zimbabwe (1983-92)
14 Scotland (1999-15)
12 Afghanistan (2015-19) *
11 Canada (2003-11)

18:23 Local Time, 17:23 GMT, 22:53 IST: A fine game of cricket. Afghanistan were in the chase for more than 80 percent of the innings but in the end, those 30-35 runs that they gave extra at the death, came back to bite them. Khil and Rahmat were brilliant in their partnership, the former in particular showing incredible spunk for an 18-year-old to anchor the chase. Najibullah joined him and the duo kept Afghanistan pretty much in the hunt but their dismissals in the same over virtually ended the contest. Afghan tried but he alone was never going to do it, not on this slowing surface. At the end, Shirzad entertained with some lusty blows to narrow the defeat margin. Brathwaite and Roach were the pick of the West Indies bowlers, especially the former who mixed his pace well. Afghanistan end their World Cup campaign winless. Must say that the Pooran-Holder assault at the back end of the West Indies innings proved crucial. Remember they added 111 off the final 10 overs and that made the difference eventually. West Indies end the tournament like they began, with a win but it's what happened in between that will disappoint them. Especially those close games that they lost.

Thomas to Shirzad, out Caught by Fabian Allen!! Oh my Fabian Allen, you genius!! What a catch!! What a freaking catch!! Had to trek with his back to the ball and it was always going away from him. Doesn't give up though and dives mid-air with a one-handed catch to boot. Almost superhuman like or superman-like. Wow! Was a miscued loft from Shirzad over extra cover and he had got plenty of height on this. Didn't seem like Allen would get to it but such is the prowess of this young turk that he does so and how. Fantastic finish to the game, even though the result was known a few overs earlier. Shirzad c Fabian Allen b Thomas 25(17) [4s-2 6s-2]

Thomas to Shirzad, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Thomas to Shirzad, SIX, kaboom! Shirzad is making a statement to the dressing room, probably telling them 'Promote me up the order folks!'. Slot ball from Thomas and Shirzad makes room to smash it down the ground over long-off

Thomas to Shirzad, no run, slower and fuller outside off, Shirzad cannot get bat on it

Thomas to Shirzad, FOUR, Shirzad continues to peel off the boundaries. Won't make a difference to the result but it's definitely refreshing to watch. Full toss and he just backs away to slice it over extra cover. Sweeper is squarer and has no chance

Thomas to Shirzad, no run, banged in short and Shirzad only has the tailender shot as the response. Back away and slog. Not the length for the shot though. Misses it

Thomas to Shirzad, no run, very full and outside off, jammed out towards backward point

Brathwaite to Mujeeb, no run, wild slog but doesn't connect! Brathwaite is on the ground in despair, probably wanted the fifer badly. Not to be though. Angled this on middle and leg, Mujeeb looked to heave it away, only to get beaten on the inside edge

Brathwaite to Shirzad, 1 run, in the air...on the bounce to long-off. Was a fuller ball and Shirzad tried to loft it down the ground. Checked his shot a bit and hence, couldn't get the desired power on it

Brathwaite to Mujeeb, 1 run, very full and angling in on middle and leg, dug out towards deep mid-wicket

Brathwaite to Shirzad, 1 run, another slower ball, Shirzad connects the heave this time but doesn't middle it properly. Well short of long-on

Brathwaite to Shirzad, no run, swing and a miss! Slower ball, takes an eternity to reach Shirzad who swung wildly at it