West Indies VS Bangladesh T20 International Series
2nd Match Played at Windsor Park, Dominica
West Indies 193/5 (Roveman Powell 61*, Brendon King 57, Nicholas Pooran 34, Kayl Mayers 17, Shoriful Islam 2/40, Mahedy Hasan 1/31, Shakib Al Hasan 1/38)
Bangladesh 168/6 (Shakib Al Hasan 68*, Afif Hossain 34, Mosddeq Hossein 15, Romerio Shepherd 2/37, Obed McCoy 2/37)
West Indies Won by 35 Runs
On the milestone-setting day of Bangladesh superstar Shakib Al Hasan Caribbean Hurricane in the shape of Roveman Powell swept Bangladesh as scenic Dominica. West Indies winning by 35 runs took unassailable 1-0 lead in the 3 matches series.
Home teams scored 193/5 with Power blasting unbeaten 61 in 28 deliveries striking 2 fours and 6 sixes. 23 runs taken in the last over of otherwise miserly Shakib turned the tide and took the game out of Bangladesh reach. Brendon King (57) and captain Pooran (34) also contributed in WI run feast. Bangladesh did not have enough resources to challenge.
Moreover, Obed McCoy taking 2 wickets in consecutive deliveries in his first over pegged Bangladesh back. Shakib scoring unbeaten 68 (his 10th T20I fifty) looked great. Afif looked good scoring 34. But 194 was at least 25 runs too many. Bangladesh is yet to win a T20 against West Indies in West Indies. On The other hand, West Indies has not lost any T20 International defending any score above 165 in West Indies.
Batting first WI made brisk start on a flat wicket gripping a bit. Mahedy and Shakib removing Mayers and Brooks brought Bangladesh into the match. But Bangladesh pacers Taskin, Shoriful and Mustafiz missing length fed the stroke play of Caribbean batters .Runs flew thick and fast. 64 3rd wicket partnership between King and Pooran set a solid foundation. King scored 57 of 43 deliveries. Mosaddeq Hossein removed Pooran. But for reasons best known to Mahmudullah he was not given another over following his wicket maiden. Roveman Powell and King adding 63 in stroke full 4th wicket partnership took the match out of Bangladesh. Taskin looking rusty gave away as many as 45 in his 3 overs. Mustafiz conceeded37. Shakib bowled 3 tight overs but Powell took 23 in his fourth. Shoriful took 2/40 but again could not bowl consistently well. !94 was too hot to chase for Bangladesh.
A solid opening partnership was required for challenging the target. Litton fell trying to play a pick-up stroke of the first ball of McCoy in the second over. Very next ball Anamul was played well. A team chasing huge target losing both the openers in the very second over could still challenge if two partnerships could be set up. West Indies bowlers bowled at tight length and good line. Two spinners Akeal and Hayden were excellent. Shakib played a great Innings of unbeaten 68. Off the others only Afif could stay with him for a while soring 34. But his lack of maturity cost him the wicket trying to play an unnecessary slap shot. In the end it grew well beyond the reach of Bangladesh. Shakib’s 10th T20 fifty and him crossing 2000 runs elevated him to the unique position of the one and only scoring over 2000 runs and taking 120 wickets in T20 international.
Colorful cricket lovers gathering in good numbers enjoyed an entertaining match at lovely looking Windsor Park.
West Indies has started looking great with both bat and ball. Their plan for trying some fringe players is definitely working. Obed McCoy, Roveman Powell, Bredon King, Hayden Walsh and Akeal Hossein are going to make West Indies a strong T20 unit once again. Bangladesh must reassess their priorities. Must start thinking out of the box a bit
BDST: 1153 HRS, JUL 04, 2022
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