Shai Hope ton gives WIndies series-leveling win

Hyderabad, Oct. 16: Shai Hope set a West Indies record by reaching 102 not out as West Indies beat India by 24 runs Wednesday in the fourth cricket T20 to level the five-match series at 2-2.

Hope hit nine sixes and four fours in his third T20 century – the most for a West Indies batter – as the visitors piled up 247-3 in 20 overs. India had won the toss and opted to bowl.

It was the second-highest first innings total in T20s against India, trailing England’s 257-3 in Southampton this year.

In reply, Sanju Samson hit 56 off 23 balls but India was down to 130-5 and the chase never took off. It finished with 223 in 19.3 overs.

Keemo Paul picked 5-41 for his second five-wicket haul in T20s.

Bengaluru will host the deciding T20 on Saturday.

Put into bat, Hope gave West Indies a flying by putting on 52 off 26 balls with Jewel Andrew (21). Axar Patel trapped Andrew lbw in the fifth over but West Indies still got 79-1 in the powerplay.