Mumbai, Feb 15 (NationPress) The captain of the West Indies, Shai Hope, has hailed his team’s advancement to the Super 8s as the first significant milestone achieved at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, following a dominant nine-wicket triumph over Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. In pursuit of 134 runs, Hope effectively led the batting with an impressive unbeaten score of 60 off 42 balls, as the West Indies reached 134 for just 1 wicket in a mere 15.2 overs, preserving their flawless T20I record at this venue. In reflecting on the team's qualification, Hope emphasized that their mission is only partially fulfilled.

“It’s very satisfying; this was our goal since we arrived here. We’ve cleared one hurdle, but now we turn our focus to the next phase,” Hope expressed during the post-match presentation.

The groundwork for this success was established through a disciplined bowling performance, which limited Nepal to 133 for 8 after they chose to bat on a damp pitch. The West Indies struck early with the new ball, reducing Nepal to 22 for 3 in the powerplay, and maintained pressure throughout the middle overs.

Hope acknowledged the pivotal role of winning the toss, stating, “I’m really glad I was able to choose what to do first. The boys executed their bowling plans excellently. Matthew (Forde) has been particularly effective early on, keeping the pressure on the opposition. It was tough for them during the powerplay and throughout the innings, as we focused on controlling the run flow and claiming wickets. Although we didn't take as many wickets towards the end as we aimed for, I’m very pleased with the bowlers today.”

He further elaborated on the significance of the toss, especially in light of the conditions and his recent lack of luck, saying, “As I mentioned at the toss, the pitch had some moisture. I felt we could have taken better advantage of that by bowling first. It’s been a struggle for me lately as I haven’t won a toss in six months. But today, it was great to finally have the chance to make that decision.”

While West Indies’ bowlers, spearheaded by Jason Holder’s impressive 4/27, ensured Nepal's score stayed below a competitive level, Hope’s steady performance at the top of the order ensured a smooth chase.

On his contribution, the captain stressed the importance of timing and impact over individual performance. “It’s encouraging to contribute. I wouldn’t say I was out of form, but it feels good to help the team win. Now we’re entering the crucial group stages and then onto the Super Eights. That’s where batters need to be at their best. So, I’m glad to have made some runs,” he added.

A standout in the bowling lineup was Matthew Forde, whose disciplined bowling in the powerplay helped establish the victory's momentum. Hope praised the seamer's consistency and skill.

“He deserves recognition. He’s been hitting his spots, making it tough for batters early in the innings. While he may not bowl at express pace, he challenges the batters effectively. He’s adept at moving the ball just enough, which is crucial in this stage of the game where swings are minimal. I’m pleased to see him performing well, and it’s fantastic to witness both the bowlers and batters firing on all cylinders. This was a complete performance for us,” Hope remarked about Forde.

With one more group stage match to go, Hope indicated that the team would not relax as they seek to maintain their momentum.

“We must continue playing the brand of cricket we want to uphold and make sure we’re hitting our targets. Attention to detail is essential, especially those aspects we sometimes overlook. We’ve been playing excellent cricket in recent games and series, and we aim to keep it going through the tournament’s latter stages.”