West Indies defeated Bangladesh in a last-over thriller at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday to open their account in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021.
Chasing a paltry target of 143, Bangladesh had a terrible start as they lost both openers
Mohammad Naim (17) and
Shakib Al Hasan (9) for 29 runs in 5.4 overs.
Then,
Soumya Sarkar (17) and
Mushfiqur Rahim (8) formed crucial stands of 31 and 30 runs, respectively, with
Liton Das to keep Bangladesh in the game.
After losing Sarkar and Rahim, Das stayed on the crease and put together a vital stand of 40 runs for the fifth wicket. However, a fielding brilliance by Holder at the long-on got rid of Das for a well-made 44 runs.
With 13 needed off 6 balls,
Andre Russell took the responsibility to bowl the final over and took Windies home. The right-handed batter only conceded nine runs as the defending champions won the contest by three runs.
Earlier, West Indies posted 142/7 on the board in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to crucial knocks by
Nicholas Pooran and
Roston Chase.
Chase made 39 off 46 at the top when his team was badly struggling after losing
Chris Gayle (4),
Evin Lewis (6), and
Shimron Hetmyer (9) at 32 in 6.4 overs. Then, Pooran changed the momentum with a quickfire 22-ball 40 runs with the help of five boundaries, including four sixes.
All-rounder
Jason Holder, who was recently added to the squad as a replacement for the injured left-arm seamer Obed McCoy, chipped in with valuable 15 off 5 balls down the order to help West Indies post a respectable total. Skipper
Kieron Pollard remained unbeaten on 14 from 18 deliveries.
For Bangladesh,
Shoriful Islam (2/20) and
Mahedi Hasan (2/27) picked up a couple of wickets each. Similarly,
Mustafizur Rahman also bagged two wickets, but he was quite expensive. Rahman ended up conceding 43 runs in his quota of 4 overs.
Smallest margin of win for WI (by runs): - 1 vs IND Lauderhill 2016
- 3 vs BAN Sharjah 2021 *
- 7 vs PAK Gros Islet 2011
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Cracking win for West Indies, this could reignite their campaign. Lucky to come away with full points despite mistakes galore with bat and in the field. Sadly, end of the road for Bangladesh after third loss on the trot.
#BANvWI #T20WorldCup — VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)
October 29, 2021
What an over, what a player, what a team, what a game: West Indies' title defence still hanging by a thread but that's a remarkable effort on a pitch that couldn't have suited their style of play much less
— Matt Roller (@mroller98)
October 29, 2021
#Bangladesh should be disappointed with that result. I thought they left a little too much for the end. But who would have thought the height of the long-on fielder would become a turning point!!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
October 29, 2021
#WIvBAN a well fought game to
@BCBtigers and hoping all is well with
@Sah75official ??????
#MissionMaroon #T20WorldCup — Windies Cricket (@windiescricket)
October 29, 2021
Teams that could not chase under-150 target more than once in a Men's T20 World Cup:-
Bangladesh?? in 2016 (v IND, NZ)
Bangladesh?? in 2021 (v SCO, WI)
#T20WorldCup — Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats)
October 29, 2021
Feel West Indies gonna bring madness after this win.
#T20WorldCup — Silly Point (@FarziCricketer)
October 29, 2021
40 off 22 balls to turn the innings around.
WELL DESERVED POTM award to
@nicholas_47 ???
#WIvBAN #MissionMaroon #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/JeqpUwfFDx — Windies Cricket (@windiescricket)
October 29, 2021
Andre Russell's top final over seals it for West Indies.
#WIvBAN Scorecard:
https://t.co/yDbzhBhhuF#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/za6pBUYeOK — CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
October 29, 2021
ANDRE RUSSELL YOU ROCKS.
#WIvBAN pic.twitter.com/zzjx2Hm0CL — Saurub (@midonpechal)
October 29, 2021
Whaaaaat a maaaatch; ?? I enjoyed it fully? last ball thriller ? ? but one thing ?how many chances given to batters ?? ? from both teams.
#T20WorldCup #WIvBAN pic.twitter.com/giAoG9sMiM — Atla Sai Tarun Reddy (@sai_atla)
October 29, 2021
For latest cricket news & updates, visit
CricketTimes.com.
