West Indies have thrashed South Africa by 7 wickets to go 1-0 up in the three-match T20I series on Saturday (August 24). Wicket-keeper batter Nicholas Pooran's outrageous 65* off only 26 deliveries ruthlessly pummelled South Africa.

Nicholas Pooran hammered a 65* off just 26 balls which snatched the game away from the visitors, South Africa. 
Being asked to bat first, South Africa had a terrible start, losing the openers in a blink of an eye. Matthew Forde did the damage on the top order, claiming two wickets of Ryan Rickelton and captain Aiden Markram cheaply. Shamar Joseph then removed Russie Van Der Dussen, while Akeal Hossain had Donovan Ferreira and South Africa were crumbling on 42/5 after 8 overs.

Tristan Stubbs then came in and had partnered up with Patrick Krugar, the duo added 71 runs on the 6th wicket stand. Stubbs hammered a 76 off just 42 deliveries, while Krugar also made a substantial contribution of 44 off 32 balls. The duo's amazing stand helped South Africa get past over 170 [174].

In reply, West Indies were ruthless. Alick Athanaze and Shai Hope set the stage ablaze, racing their way to 75/0 in the first 6 overs and South Africa never recovered this.

Athanaze fell after scoring 40 off 30, but his departure brought in Nicholas Pooran, who smashed a sixer off Bjorn Fortuin off the second ball he faced. And then he pulverized Nandre Burger by bludgeoning four sixes of the four balls to take the game away ruthlessly.

Hope fell after scoring fifty [51 off 36] but that was way too late as Pooran already did the damage. Pooran ended up his knock on 65* off just 26 deliveries and helped his side chase down the total with 7 wickets in hands and 13 balls to spare.