The West Indies opened its ICC T20 World Cup campaign with a victory over Papua New Guinea (PNG) by five wickets on Sunday (June 2).

After winning the toss and electing to bowl, the match looked like it would be little more than a warm-up match for the Windies who recently displayed superb form against South Africa and Australia.

Thanks to the bowling efforts of Akeal Hosein, Romario Shepherd, Andre Russell, Roston Chase, Alzarri Joseph and Gudakesh Motie, Assad Vala’s PNG was restricted to 136/8, practically gifting the victory to the Windies.

Russell took his 50th international T20 wicket in the match.

But PNG’s bowling attack quickly made it clear that they would not give up the win to the Windies without a fight.

The early dismissal of opener Johnson Charles for a golden duck was an early sign that the game would not end as quickly as expected.

Although heavy hitters Brandon King and Nicholas Pooran looked like they would close out the game quickly, bringing the team to an early 50 on the scorecard.

Dangerous bowling from Vala managed to take King’s wicket and restricted the team to 97/5 with only four overs remaining.

After a morning of great work in the field and on the bowling attack, Roston Chase came in to save the Windies smashing away the needed 40 runs to win with an over to spare.