England VS West Indies Played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 23 October 2021
England 56/4 in 8.2 Overs (Joss Buttler 24*, Jason Roy 11, Akeal Hossain 2/24)
West Indies 55 All Out in 14.2 Overs (Chris Gayle 13, Adil Rashid 4/2, Moeen Ali 2/14, Tymel Mills 2/17) 
England Won By 6 Wickets
Player Of The Match: Moeen Ali

Current ODI Champions England clinically dispatched current T20 Champions West Indies in an unexpected one-sided encounter in spin-dominated match at Dubai International stadium yesterday. West Indies despite having too many rock and roll T20 specialists succumbed to the spins of Adil Rashid (4/2) and Moeen Ali (2/17) scoring only 55 in 14.2 Overs. England raced to the victory in only 8.2 overs scoring 56/4. It was an unbelievable turn around as spectators expected a run feast in the battle of the giants. This match gave an indication that quality spinners would harvest good crops in this T20 world cup as matches played in heat and humidity on dry surfaces would suit them most.

We all know how unpredictable West Indies can be. But it was expected that one or two batsmen of a team having so many T20 specialists like CH Gayle, Lendl Simmons, Elvin Lewis, Andre Russell, Keiron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Simron Hetmeyer, Nicholas Puran would all fail in the same match. Credit must go to English bowlers to wrap the West Indies up for one of their lowest totals. Perhaps that would not happen again. One or two teams of the group would definitely get the backlash.

Coming to the match England were in a dilemma whether to go with pace heavy or spin heavy attack. It was perfect that they gambled with spin duo Moeen and Rashid. West Indians like pace. The quicker the balls come to their bat quicker they dispatch. Moeen started the rot and Rashid cleaned up the tail as none but Universe boss CHG could even reach the double digit. West Indies was blown away scoring 55 in 14.2 overs. England cruised to emphatic 6 wickets win scoring 56/4 with 70 balls to spare. This match gave enough hints that the wickets would be happy hunting grounds for spinners. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the group would love playing on such surface. 

Nothing much can be said about West Indies as they play like this. Sunshine one day and rains on other. They would definitely bounce back and make one or two teams suffer from their flamboyance. 

BDST: 1246 HRS, OCT 24, 2021
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