Hello and welcome to the coverage of the T20 World Cup match between West Indies and Papua New Guinea.
More than eight years after Carlos Brathwaite's four consecutive sixes at Eden Gardens secured the West Indies their second T20 World Cup title, the team is poised for redemption on home soil.
Their campaign in the ninth edition of the tournament begins against Papua New Guinea in Georgetown on Sunday.
It has been 2982 days since that unforgettable night in Kolkata, a moment the West Indies are eager to replicate, especially with the tournament being hosted at home.
Former two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain Darren Sammy returns as coach. The Rovman Powell-led side has already showcased their intent with a dominant victory over Australia in a warm-up match.
Nicolas Pooran will anchor the middle order, supported by explosive talents like Powell, Andre Russell, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, and Romario Shepherd.
This formidable lineup makes the West Indies one of the strongest batting teams in the competition. Russell, fresh off a season that helped Kolkata Knight Riders clinch their third IPL title, has been in exceptional form.
The West Indies aim to become the first team to win a T20 World Cup on home turf.
They have replaced the injured Jason Holder with Obed McCoy, who was the leading wicket-taker during the West Indies A's recent tour of Nepal.
Papua New Guinea, led by Assadollah Vala, is making their second T20 World Cup appearance, having secured their spot through the East Asia-Pacific regional final in July 2023.
Vala is joined by nine other players from their 2021 campaign, with Jack Gardner included in the squad this time. Leg-spinning all-rounder CJ Amini will serve as his deputy.