Bangladesh batsman Mahmudullah is bowled by West Indies’ Kesrick Williams during their 1st Twenty20 international match at Warner Park in St Kitts on Wednesday. — AFP photo
An inconsistent bowling followed by erratic batting display cost Bangladesh the game as they went down by seven wickets in the first Twenty20 international against West Indies at St Kitts on Wednesday.
Set a revised target of 91 runs in 11 overs in the rain-hit game at Warner Park, West Indies eased into 93-3 in 9.1 overs after they had restricted Bangladesh to 143-9 opting to bowl first.
Pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman gave Bangladesh a glimmer of hope when he took two wickets in his first over, the second over of the innings, without conceding run, but others, especially the spinners failed to provide him any support.
Marlon Samuels and Andre Russell played Sakib al Hasan and Nazmul Islam comfortably to deny Bangladesh further momentum before they were separated by Rubel Hossain.
By the time Rubel dismissed Samuels for 26 off 13, the game was well within the grip of West Indies with the side reaching 52 in less than six overs.
Russell killed off any outside chance Bangladesh had, picking up 18 runs off Mustafiz’s second over to remain unbeaten on 35 off 21 balls.
Rovman Powell, unbeaten on 15 off 9 balls, struck Sakib for a six to complete the win and give West Indies a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
With rain delaying the West Indies innings for more than an hour things could have been in Bangladesh’s favour if they had scored a little more runs.
Bangladesh showed promise of scoring something close to the 180 runs at one stage of their innings but the loss of too many wickets too frequently denied them that chance.
A quite a few batsmen got the start but none could score a fifty costing Bangladesh a decent total on a seemingly batting friendly pitch.
The Tigers got off to a disastrous start when Ashley Nurse handed a golden duck to both openers Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar in the very first over though Liton and Sakib somewhat repaired the damage.
But they could not build up on their starts as both were removed in consecutive short balls off Kemo Paul that undid both the batsmen.
Liton hoisted a catch at deep square leg to Andre Fletcher after making 24 off 21 balls while Kesrick Williams took a brilliant reflex catch at deep cover to end Sakib’s endeavour 19 off 10 balls.
Mahmudullah struck two sixes and appeared to have swung the momentum back to Bangladesh’s way but once Mushfiqur Rahim ( 15 off 11 balls), his partner in 47-run fourth wicket stand, cut Williams to third man West Indies were on top again.
Williams deceived Mahmudullah with a slower to bowl him out for 32 off 27 balls, denting Bangladesh’s hopes of getting a reasonable score further. Williams finished with career best figure of 4-28.
The next two matches of the series will be held at Launderhill of Florida, respectively on August 5 and 6.
Source: New Age.
