Bangladesh vs West Indies: Last over magic from Russell for a win.

Bangladesh vs West Indies, ICC T20 World Cup 2021: West Indies held tight to claim a 3-run win in the T20 World Cup 2021 over Bangladesh. Needing 13 runs on the last over, West Indies all-rounder’s magical six balls took the game away to win a last-ball thriller in Sharjah.

With this win, West Indies hope for making the semifinals are still alive. Having to bat first to set a target, West Indies got to 142 for seven with Pooran’s lightning batting being the starlight of the show. His innings included four sixes and one four.

Bangladesh are virtually out of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 with no wins in three games now. They could only manage 139 for five in 20 overs unable to overcome the heroic of Russell.

Losing openers Mohammad Naim and Shakib Al Hasan, who was limping, early in the powerplay Bangladesh’s chase started under pressure. But thanks to Liton Das they picked up the run rate. West Indies, like Bangladesh, were sloppy in the field and the two-time champions were also guilty of missing as many as three run-out opportunities.

Needing 50 runs from the last six overs, Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah and Das were well set to take the match in control. They were striking the ball well getting boundaries regularly also rotating the strike rate. However, Bravo produced a three-run 17th over.

That over basically changed the momentum in West Indies favor. And in the 19th over, although getting hit for a six on the first ball, Bravo got Das’s wicket on the final ball of the over to make the chase interesting.

Andre Russell to bowl the final over and 13 runs to win, Bangladesh skipper failed to create boundary even once. He also got lucky being dropped on the fourth ball to bring one ball four runs to win for Bangladesh. However, the final ball was a gem giving no chance to Mahmudullah to free his arms to close a win for West Indies.

Aware of West Indies’ struggle against spin, Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah handed the ball to off-spinner Mahedi Hasan (2/27) to open the innings, putting pressure on the Caribbean team.

After a few overs of pace, bringing backspin in the fifth overpaid immediate dividends with Hasan getting the big wicket of Chris Gayle (4) as Bangladesh gave away just 29 runs while picking two wickets in the Powerplay.

In his next over, right after he put down Chase off his bowling, Hasan snared Shimron Hetmyer’s (9) wicket. Kieron Pollard (14 not out) and Chase tried to repair the innings before the skipper retired ill in the 13th over.

The reasons for his walking out at that stage were not clear but he came back in the final over to hit the last ball six after seven batters of his side were packed off. In the very next ball, Andre Russell (0) was run out without facing a ball as things went from bad to worse for the West Indies.

Then West Indies got some rub of the green when Chase was dropped once again by Hasan at deep mid-wicket before Bangladesh missed a stumping opportunity against Pooran. The momentum slightly changed in the West Indies’ favor as Chase and Pooran plundered 14 runs off the 15th over.

Pooran continued the assault as he hammered Shakib Al Hasan for back-to-back sixes. Jason Holder too pitched in with an unbeaten five-ball 15.

Watch the Bangladesh vs West Indies highlights of ICC T20 World Cup 2021.

Mahmudullah:

“Liton’s wicket was very crucial because we were both set. That’s the advantage when you have tall fielders. I think bowlers did quite a good job, but we missed a few chances with cost us an extra 10-15 runs. It was hard with the new ball, and it was hard to score. Shorif bowled beautifully. It was a close game, and we can’t give any blame to our batters and bowlers. In T20s there are such games. That is an issue, and we need to come better.”

Nicholas Pooran:

“Tough managing all the players. Can become tough at times. We didn’t really take all our catches, but Andrew was really good and the belief was there. Faith in experienced bowlers. Akeal has been bowling really well this tournament. Playing on back-of-length was challenging. He looks fine. The medical team is looking at him, should be alright. Polly’s a wonderful leader. “