‘So near yet so far’: Virender Sehwag tweets after Carlos Brathwaite’s incredible heroics vs NZ went in vain

It was a big game for the West Indies at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Saturday. Having won just one game out of five, Jason Holder’s side had to earn a much-needed win even though they were pitted against the in-form New Zealand. Holder won the toss and asked the Kiwis to bat first and despite a poor start, Kane Williamson’s team reached 291 for 8 in 50 overs with the captain belting 148 – his second successive hundred in World Cup 2019.

Windies too had an ordinary start but the 122-run partnership between opener Chris Gayle (87) and Shimron Hetmyer (54) brought them back into the game. The quick dismissal of the duo along with Holder made things difficult for the West Indies and from 142 for 2, they slumped to 245 for 9 in the 45th over. The fans were left remembering with agony the close loss against Australia despite having cornered them but Carlos Brathwaite had other plans.

Carlos Brathwaite kept on chasing the score all by himself

The 30-year-old all-rounder, the hero of the World T20 final in 2016 in India, took the New Zealand bowling head on. He added 41 runs with the No.11, Oshane Thomas, with the latter remaining not out on zero. The runs came in quick time as Brathwaite thrashed almost every ball that came at him during this time. He whacked speedster Matt Henry for 25 runs in the 48th over and the Caribbeans had required just eight runs in the final two overs.

James Neesham bowled a fantastic penultimate over and picked Brathwaite on the final delivery after the batsman tried to hit the winning six only to get caught by Trent Boult at the boundary. Windies lost the match by five runs and with just three points from six games, are close to the exit door.

Former India opener Virender Sehwag praised the big Caribbean for his 82-ball 101, the first-ever hundred that he has scored in an international outing. The batsman was on his knees after failing to take his team across the line and the New Zealand players were seen consoling him.

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“So near yet so far” was what Sehwag said about the innings in a tweet but added that it is worth an innings to be remembered for a long time. He also said the cricket World Cup is truly alive now.

Carlos Brathwaite! What a 100, so near yet so far but an innings to remember for a long long time . World Cup is truly alive now #WIvNZ

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 22, 2019