Twitter Reactions: West Indies keep their 'Hope' on 'Chase' to make it 1-0

West Indies started off the 3-match ODI series against Afghanistan with a fine victory. Roston Chase and Shai Hope played great knocks which helped take their team home. After they were put in to bat first, Afghanistan had their moments in the first innings. Despite losing both the openers early for scores below 10, they managed to remain in a commanding position.

A great partnership between Rahmat Shah and Ikram Ali Khil put them on the course for a good total. However, things shifted the visitors’ way in a matter of a few overs. In the 27th, the hosts were hit by a double blow. Khil, who was looking good, got run out for 58 off 62 balls. Furthermore, in the same over, Najibullah got out for a duck. The team couldn’t really capitalise on this partnership as the middle order hardly showed any resistance.

Once Rahmat Shah fell for 61 runs, they kept losing wickets. Asghar Afghan made a valuable contribution of 35 runs before he was run out. But that was clearly not enough as the side was bowled out for just 194 runs in the 46th over. Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd and Roston Chase picked up two wickets each in the innings.

Roston Chase and Shai Hope play responsible knocks

Even though Afghanistan made early inroads in the West Indies chase, they couldn’t capitalise on it. The visitors were down to 25/2 after Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Naveen-ul-Haq dismissed Evin Lewis and Shimron Hetmyer cheaply. While the game could have gone either way at this stage, Roston Chase and Shai Hope batted responsibly.

This duo ensured that the game didn’t drift away from their grip and put together a wonderful partnership. While they took their time, they saw to it that the West Indies inched towards the target with ease. Compared to the two, Roston Chase was the aggressor and maintained the pressure on the bowlers. When the team required just 7 runs more, he fell for 94 runs and missed out on his maiden ODI century. However, West Indies still managed to register a comfortable win. Hope remained unbeaten on 77 runs.

Twitterati thoroughly enjoyed this performance from the West Indies. They congratulated Roston Chase and Shai Hope for their knocks. However, the Afghan fans seemed disappointed with this performance. They felt that the players didn’t apply themselves well.

Here is how Twitterati reacted:

Batsmen at the crease: Shai Hope and Roston Chase.
Commentator: 'WI fans will HOPE that they can CHASE this total down'
Alright sir alright good one good one 😅

— Bas (@VBas08) November 6, 2019

Considering next WC in India,
WI should continue to stick with Roston Chase.

— மெரின் குமார் (@merin_kumar) November 6, 2019

Talking about the Windies bowling, it was a very good performance. Jason Holder and Roston Chase were the pick of them as both grabbed a couple of wickets and did not bowl any loose deliveries. Both the debutants also got wickets and it was a good outing for them.#WIvsAFG pic.twitter.com/VBTrjI8PUj

— Wesley00005 (@Wesley000051) November 6, 2019

Roston Chase ended up his spell as the best bowling figures for him in ODIs

10-0-31-2#AFGvWI

— Cric Castle (@CastleCric) November 6, 2019

RCB might buy Roston Chase because Kohli loves to Chase #OkSorry #AFGvWI #OkBye

— Udit (@udit_buch) November 6, 2019

Perfect chase given the historic inability of WIndies to chase totals calmly.

No coincidence it is Chase and Hope behind it albeit at a very pedestrian (but sensible in context) SR. Take the thrill out of the chase.

Hope close to a 50 average in ODIs after 67 matches #AFGvWI

— Caribbean Cricket Podcast (@CaribCricket) November 6, 2019

#AFGvWI West Indies also have @shaidhope in a #Chase…😅 pic.twitter.com/HAvHVS6SkC

— Ájey Santhosh (@ajey_santhosh) November 6, 2019

West Indies beat Afghanistan by 7 wickets to leads the seeies 1-0
Beautiful innings from Chase and Hope
Its Pollard's first win as a captain

— Mehedi Hasan Shawon (@SportsBoyShawn) November 6, 2019

Good win, good start today boys @windiescricket #AFGvWI

— Scluse 🇬🇾 (@_KingDev_) November 6, 2019

Hope: Can we chase?
Chase: Lets hope. #AfgvWI

— अलवत्तेगामा (@ShiwKoi) November 6, 2019

93* v Afghanistan at Lucknow is RL Chase's highest score for the West Indies in ODIs surpassing his 51 v Bangladesh in Dublin on 7 May this year#AfgvWI

— Arthur_S (@allanholloway) November 6, 2019