Bangladesh Vs West Indies UCB T20 Series Powered By Walton 

First T20 International Match Played at Sylhet Cricket Stadium

West Indies 130/2 in 10.5 overs (Shai Hope 55, KMA Paul 28*, N Pooran 23*, E Lewis 18) beat Bangladesh 129 All Out (Shakib Al Hasan 61, Ariful Haq 17, Mahmudullah 12, SS Cottrell 4/28, KMA Paul 2/23)  by 8 Wickets 

Torpedo sharped West Indies avalanched Bangladesh by 8 wickets in the first of the three matches T20 series. The team that looked pretty ordinary in test and ODI shocked Bangladesh with fast short rib caged aiming fast bowling reducing Bangladesh to 128. Trademark West Indian power hitting got them across (129/2) in 10.2 overs. Home team aspiring for a comprehensive win in all formats got battered, bruised and humiliated the weakness of Bangladesh against fast short deliveries got exposed once again as none other than Shakib could withstand the relentless barrage of short lifting deliveries. 

129 is not at all a challenging target for power packed West Indies batting. Shai Hope continuing his prolific form steam rolled Bangladesh. T20 world champions raced to victory with almost half of innings still to go. The match was advanced to mid noon for finishing early before dusk. The hurricane hitting of West Indians finished the match 3:30 PM.

West Indies players are precious commodities in different T20 franchise all over the cricket world for power hitting and splendid bowling. The most sought after players Gayle, Pollard, Narine, Russel are missing from the squad. Still their enormous depth of stroke makers and quality fast bowlers caused Bangladesh to meekly surrender. Sheldon Cottrell was too hot to handle. Explosive Shai Hope dismantled Bangladesh bowling. 

Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat. West Indies appeared with a four prong pace attack. Thomas in test exploited the weakness of Bangladesh batting against genuine pace. West Indies think tank rightly assessed Bangladesh poor technique in negotiating short fast bowling aimed at rib cage. Even though wicket had no demon Bangladesh top order dismantled in no time failing to negotiate the new ball. By 6th over Tamim, Liton, Soumya and Mushfique were sent back to the dug out. 

The top three tried counter attacking short deliveries without having any control over their strokes. Mushfique got out trying a sharp short single. Only Shakib stood firm batting with usual flair and flamboyance. Mahmudullah gave him company for a while. Shakib’s 43 ball 61 saved Bangladesh from complete disgrace. Other than him only Ariful (17) and Mahmudullah (12) could reach double figure. Cottrell destroyed Bangladesh claiming 4/28 in his fiery 4 over spell.

In pursuit to paltry 130 target West Indies unleashed brutal assault on Bangladesh bowling. Shai Hope took Miraz, Mustafiz, and Hider to the cleaners. Hope stood all alone in the test and ODI series. He blasted Bangladesh to a 23 ball 55 showing Bangladesh how to bat on this wicket.

Even Shakib could not shackle the all guns blazing West Indians. The target was overhauled in 10.5 overs. KMA Paul remained not out on 28 and N Pooran on 23. West Indies announced strong message that T20 is a different ball game where they glitter. 

I find no reason why Bangladesh can not bounce back. But for that Bangladesh will have to vastly improve in all departments-- batting, bowling and fielding. There can be no excuses. Wicket was OK. Bangladesh players play T20 regularly in home condition. The first match however showed lack of application and poor temperament and may be a little bit complacency.

BDST: 0951 HRS, DEC 18, 2018
SI