In a stunning display of fast bowling, Barbadian teenager Shaquan Belle etched his name into the annals of cricket history during a crucial ICC Under-19 World Cup clash against South Africa. The decisive match unfolded at the High-Performance Oval in Windhoek, Namibia, where Belle’s extraordinary performance propelled the West Indies to a commanding 55-run victory.
The slender right-arm paceman delivered a masterclass in bowling, decimating the South African batting lineup with figures of 6 wickets for just 40 runs from his allotted 10 overs. This remarkable achievement not only secured his team’s progression in the tournament but also established a new benchmark for Barbadian bowlers at the ICC U19 level, surpassing all previous records.
Earlier in the contest, fellow Barbadian Zachary Carter laid the foundation for victory with a spectacular century. Carter’s explosive 114-run innings, featuring eight boundaries and an equal number of sixes, propelled the West Indies to a competitive total of 234 all out in 47.5 overs despite the team’s eventual dismissal.
The South African junior squad struggled throughout their chase, ultimately collapsing at 179 runs in just 37.4 overs against the relentless West Indian bowling attack, with Belle serving as the primary architect of their downfall.
The 19-year-old cricket prodigy, who recently completed his education at Scarborough School in the United Kingdom, previously attended The Lodge School in Barbados, demonstrating the Caribbean nation’s continued production of world-class sporting talent.