UCB T20 International Series Powered By Walton
Bangladesh Vs West Indies Second T20 International Played at SBNCS
Bangladesh 211 /4 ( Liton K Das 62 , Mahmudullah 43* , Shakib 42* , SoumyaSarkar 32 , SS Cottrell 2/ 38 ) Beat West Indies 175 ( R Powell 50 , SD Hope 36 , Shakib 5/20, Mustafiz 2/50) by 36 Runs
Injured team tigers leaking their wounds from a humiliating 8 wickets shock and awe in the first T20 international regrouped and bounced back winning the second by 32 runs. The series now leveled 1-1 will now be decided in the third match scheduled for 22 December at SBNCS Dhaka.
Put into bat in the day night match Bangladesh posted an impressive 211 /4 in allotted overs through major contribution of Liton (62 ) , Mahmudullah (43*) , Shakib (42* ) and Soumya (32 ). In reply power packed West Indies appeared on course despite of losing top five with in 11th over with not much on board. Captain Rovman Powell let of twice was piloting the ship.
Heavy winter dew was making bowling a tough ask. Powell and Paul were whipping the Bangladesh bowling. But Shakib intelligently maneuvering his bowling resources strangled the visitors. He himself bowled brilliantly taking 5/20. West Indies could go as far as 175 losing the match by 36 runs. The third and final match of the series is expected to produce mouth watering contest. Bangladesh can cap off its eventful year 2018 with another series win. West Indies can also salvage some pride winning the last series of year 2018.
Bangladesh was battered, bruised and humiliated in the first T20 international played at Sylhet International Cricket stadium. Their batsmen succumbed to consistent short and fast bowling of the West Indians getting all out 129. West Indies raced to 130 /2 in only 10.5 overs. Such a reverse after Test and ODI series wins was unexpected. In a great fashion and style Bangladesh bouncing back must have delighted its adoring fans all over the world.
West Indies won the toss and put Bangladesh to bat in anticipation of winder dew making bowling difficult in the second session.
Bangladesh openers Tamim and Liton wretched the initiative launching brutal counter attacks. Tamim however could not last long felling to spinner Fabian Allen. Liton and Soumya were sizzling playing some scintillating strokes all around. Cottrell and Thomas were looking unplayable in the first match were reduced to mortals. The second wicket partnership produced 68 quick runs before Soumya fell to stunning catch of Braithwaite off Cottrell. A mini collapse was triggered from Liton and Mushfique getting out in quick succession. But Capatin Shakib and his deputy Mahmudullah played aggressively and added 91 precious runs in the unbeaten 5th wicket partnership. It could be 10-15 runs more if West Indians did not bowl the last two overs smartly.
Shakib and Bangladesh were in a hurry before heavy dew came down. By 11th over Lewis, Hope, Pooran, Hetmeyer and Bravo were back with not much on the board. West Indis still had Rovman Powell, Keemo Paul. Shakib and Mustafiz failed to grab catches that Powell offered. He blasted 50 in quick time and almost put the chase on the course. However, Bangladesh managed to squeeze them out and wrap up the innings at 175 winning the match by 36 runs. Sublime Shakib grabbed 5/20 his first 5 wickets haul in T20 international. He had earlier taken 5 wickets in ODI once and 5 wickets in test 18 times. Shakib is only the third bowler of Bangladesh after Elyas Sunny and Mustafizur Rahman taking 5 Wickets in ODI. He is the 8th bowler taking 5 wickets across all formats. The others are Kuldeeb Yadab, Imran Tahir, Omar Gul, Bhuvaneswar Kumar, Ajanta Mendis, Lasith Malinga and Tim Southee.
It was a change of temperament and attitude that made possible the resurgence of team tigers against same opposition. Off course the wicket had lesser pace and bounce. Bangladeshi batsmen looked positive and aggressive. They were more confident in approach and did not loose focus. With momentum shifted Bangladesh would be in a much better stead in the last match for winning the series.
Shakib is looking to be in his prime form. He ploughed in the sand at Sylhet in the virtual ruins of Bangladesh batting. He was clinical with bat and ball at SBNCS Dhaka. Mahmudullah is also tweeting like Michael Bevan as a great finisher. Tamim and Mushfique need to fire which may not be very far.
Let us see whether Bangladesh caps off eventful year 2018 with yet another series win or West Indies salvages some pride. We must not forget West Indies is the current T20 world champions.
BDST: 0920 HRS, DEC 21, 2018
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