XtraTime Web Desk: West Indies had an early exit as they were handed five defeats in seven games in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup. Though, they started their campaign in a winning note against Pakistan. The men in maroon couldn’t capitalise the start they got.
They lost against Sri Lanka as the Dimuth Karunaratne’s men posted 338 runs on the board. Windies fell short by 23 runs. Left handed batsman Nicholas Pooran Played very well but another superstar hogged the limelight. Amongst the fans, pop sensation Rihanna was also seen cheering for Holder & co from the Chester-le-Street stands. Dressed in a corseted denim dress worn as an overcoat, white jeans and a matching cropped tank, the Barbados-born singer – who went to the same school as all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite – was seen clicking pictures, waving the West Indies flag and applauding the players from the stands.
Yas Queen! This is what you came for @Rihanna! ?#MenInMaroon | #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/kkePwYe63b
— ICC (@ICC) July 1, 2019
After the game, the 31-year-old was seen meeting the Windies cricketers including ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle in the dressing room. In a video shared by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on their official handle for the ongoing World Cup, Rihanna was seen exchanging hugs and kisses with Gayle who also obliged her with an autographed bat.
The Windies skipper also thanked Rihanna for coming out to support the team in their match against Sri Lanka. “It was great to see her here. I just want to personally thank her for coming out. It’s not easy for a celebrity to come down to Durham to watch the West Indies play but I’m sure the boys felt her presence in the stands. And she came down to the dressing room as well and met quite a few of the players, and that was also refreshing,” Holder said.
All-rounder Allen, too, had nothing but praise for the singer. However, the left-hander did express his disappointment that they couldn’t deliver a win in front of her. “She’s gorgeous. Rihanna is always my favourite. It was good to meet her,” Allen said.