Shakib Al Hasan put on an all-round performance to lead Bangladesh to a convincing 36-run victory over West Indies in Dhaka and level the three-match T20I series 1-1.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, the Windies were not at their best with the ball as they gifted 18 extras on their way to conceding 211-4 in 20 overs – the record-highest total in T20I’s by any team in Bangladesh.
Liton Das was sensational for the home team with his explosive 60 off 34 balls (6×4, 4×6). Sheldon Cottrell -having opened the bowling – returned to the attack to bowl out the opening batsman before accounting for Soumya Sarkar after a cameo 32 off 22 balls (3×4, 1×6).
Cottrell was the pick of the Windies’ bowlers with figures of 2-38 in his allotted four overs.
Shakib Al Hasan (42 not out off 26 balls, 5×4, 1×6) and Mohammad Mahmudullah (43 not out off 21 balls, seven fours) put their wealth of experience to good use in the death overs to power the home side to the record-breaking total.
The West Indies’ chase got off to a poor start as they regularly lost wickets in the powerplay, resulting in the visitors posting 70-3 after the crucial first six overs.
Shai Hope looked set for another match-winning innings, but would have been disappointed to fall on 36 off 19 balls (six fours).
Rovman Powell added some respectability to the visitors’ total with a well-played 50 off 34 balls (5×4, 1×6), but failed to take his team over the line.
Bangladesh’s captain, Shakib Al Hasan, returned after his blistering batting display to make the ball do some of the talking too. The superstar all-rounder ripped through the Windies batting line-up as he recorded personal-best figures of 5-21 in T20I’s – deservedly earning him the Man of the Match accolade.
The home side will look to continue their dominance over the West Indies during the tour by winning the series-deciding third T20I on Saturday at the same venue.
Photo: Tharaka Basnayaka/NurPhoto/Getty Images
