KOLKATA: West Indies’ Carlos Brathwaite hit England’s Ben Stokes for four successive sixes to snatch a thrilling four-wicket win in Sunday’s World Twenty20 final as the Caribbean side became the first team to win the title twice.

Darren Sammy’s men made a grand double for the Caribbean cricket after Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor figured in a record partnership earlier in the day to help the West Indies defeat Australia by eight wickets and clinch their maiden title at the women’s World Twenty20.

In the men’s final, West Indies needed 19 off the last over sent down by Stokes. But Brathwaite exhibited nerves of steel to complete the chase in stunning style and trigger wild celebrations amongst his jubilant teammates who invaded the Eden Gardens pitch.

England’s death overs hero Stokes was left distraught after failing to contain Brathwaite, who had a memorable night having scored 34 with the bat after earlier claiming 3-23 with the ball to restrict England to a modest total.

Marlon Samuels remained not out on 85, playing a key role in reviving the 2012 champions’ chase, but it was brilliant Brathwaite’s blistering total off 10 balls that saw them home.

In the women’s final, Matthews struck 66 and Taylor 59 in a clinical chase that saw them finish on 149-2 in 19.3 overs in reply to Australia’s 148-5.

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2016