WI VS PNG - 2nd Match, Group C, ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2024

West Indies were given a scare, but they've managed to get the job done here in Guyana. They'll now have a week's break before taking on Uganda. But how impressive was the fight shown by PNG today. They'll be worth keeping an eye on going forward in this tournament. That's all we have from here. It's a goodbye from Sagar Chawla on behalf of Akshay Maanay and Praveen Kumar. See you next time!

Rovman Powell, WI captain: Their plans were simple, and they play some good cricket. It's important to get two points, and that's what we did. It's 10-15 too much (PNG's total). As a bowling group, that's what we want to tighten up. Since I turned captain, 70-80 percent team has been playing together. Starting from the bowling effort, he bowled very well (talking about Chase). And then towards the end, to hold his composure in a pressure game in WC, it's pleasing for us. Weren't up to the straps to the level we want to play. We were at 60-70 percent. Hopefully we can correct that for the second game.

Assad Vala, PNG captain: We knew we missed a trick towards the end. Another 15-20 runs would've been nice. But from the wickets we lost early, to post 136 was a good effort. Yeah, really happy with the way we fought. Got wickets in key moments. It's an opportunity and challenge we look forward to. Want to play our best cricket against the best players. He's been helpful with the wickets and conditions (talking about Phil Simmons).

Roston Chase, Player of the Match: Very pleased to start the tournament with a win and to take the team over the line. I knew that it was hard for the batters coming in, gave myself time and backed my skills. I watched the PNG batters, they took their time and once they got in it was easy to score. I have worked hard, had a preparation camp in Antigua and brought that confidence into the game. We don't want to take any team lightly, they (PNG) are here which means they are deserving, we want to play the same way we would play India or Australia.

13:57 Local Time, 17:57 GMT, 23:27 IST: Phew that wasn't nearly as comfortable for West Indies as you would've thought. PNG gave them a proper run for their money, and at one point there would've been some jitters as the rate touched 12 with half the side gone. But Roston Chase and Andre Russell produced the big blows when they desperately needed it to overcome what was a really impressive show from the PNG bowlers, starting from Alei Nao with the new ball, and followed up by the spin duo of Assad Vala and John Kariko. The pitch was a tricky one for batting. It was two-paced and there was help early on for seamers, while the ball was gripping and holding as well. The co-hosts will just be glad that they got over the line in the end.

Kabua Morea to Russell, 1 run, overpitched on middle, Russell punches to long-on and seals the win with this single. West Indies overcome a spirited PNG effort to open their campaign on a winning note

Kabua Morea to Roston Chase, 1 run, yorker outside off, Chase squeezes it to short third

Kabua Morea to Roston Chase, FOUR, low full toss outside off, Chase drives beautifully over extra cover, holding his shape and timing it over the infield. Almost goes all the way

Kabua Morea to Roston Chase, FOUR, good anticipation from Chase. Walks across the stumps, gets a full ball and sweeps it over backward square. Knew what the line would be given the field

Kabua Morea to Russell, 1 run, walks across the stumps, setting himself for a big swipe through midwicket. But he gets a yorker on the toes and can't do much other than squeezing it through the on-side for a single

Kabua Morea to Russell, 2 runs, full and wide outside off, Russell reaches out and slices it past short third. Gets back for a coiple of runs

Kabua Morea [2.0-0-17-0] is back into the attack

Assad Vala to Roston Chase, FOUR, finds the boundary again to complete a massive over! 18 off it! Back of a length on middle, Chase goes back and pumps it down the ground. Really impressive shot off the back foot to beat long-on

Assad Vala to Roston Chase, SIX, West Indies are back in charge! Crucial blows from these two in the last 5-6 balls have put them in control again. Tossed up outside off, right in the slot for Chase who launches it down the ground, clearing long-off with ease

Assad Vala to Russell, 1 run, fuller than a length on off, quick through the air, Russell hangs back and pushes to long-off

Assad Vala to Russell, 2 runs, flat length ball on off, Russell hangs back and punches to the left of long-off. It's wide enough to allow him to get back for two

Assad Vala to Roston Chase, 1 run, flat on the pads, Chase swipes to deep midwicket

Assad Vala to Roston Chase, FOUR, oh this should've been cut off. Back of a length on leg, Chase pulls wristily behind square and it sneaks through the fielder as he tumbles across in the deep

PNG scored 37 in their last 3 overs. WI need 31 off their last 3.

John Kariko to Russell, SIX, there's the big mow from the big man, and he's absolutely clobbered it deep into the stands! Fired in flat on a good length, Russell swings across the line and whacks it over midwicket. Much needed for West Indies with the rate climbing towards 12