ZCZC
BSP-20
CRICKET-BD-WI-1ST-INNINGS
Hope steers West Indies to 321-8 against Bangladesh
DHAKA, June 17, 2019 (BSS) – Shai Hope continued his rich vein of form
against Bangladesh, hitting his sixth straight 50 plus knock against the
Tigers as West Indies compiled 321-8 in a crucial World Cup game that is a
must-win game for both of the sides to stay alive for the semifinal race.
Bangladesh successfully chased down 300 plus total thrice in their cricket
history with the highest of 322-4 against Scotland in 2015 World Cup, when
Scotland set them a target of 319. Hope was dismissed for 96 off 121 with
four fours and one six which effectively prevented West Indies from any
collapse when their big-hitters showed the tendency to play one shot too many
and by doing so squandered their good start in a batting paradise.
With this 96, Hope now has scored three centuries and three half-centuries
in last six innings against Bangladesh. In the last six innings, his lowest
score was 74.
Opener Evin Lewis struck a 67 ball-70, hitting six fours and two sixes
while Shimron Hetmyer hammered 50 off just 26, smashing four fours and three
sixes, including one that was 104 meter and disappeared over the stand.
It was the longest six of the tournament until his captain Jason Holder
broke just after 15 minutes, smashing one over deep mid-wicket that was 105-
meter long.
Holder’s 15 ball-33 runs knock was studded by four fours and two sixes.
Mustafizur Rahman (9-0-59-3) and Saifuddin (10-1-72-3) shared the spoils
with three wickets apiece while Shakib chipping with figures of 2-54.
Hetmyer and Holder basically paced the innings when Hope held together it
after West Indies made a slow start.
Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza won the toss and opted to bowl
first at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton, which is the
smallest ground in England.
The decision seemed to be right when Bangladeshi pacers stifled the
Caribbean side’s for runs that resulted the dismissal of dangerous Chris
Gayle, who edged one to a moving delivery of Saifuddin to be dismissed for a
duck, after playing 13 balls.
Hope and Lewis stabilized the innings with luck and pluck. Even though,
they were 32-1 in 10 overs, Evin Lewis paced the innings with Hope playing a
second fiddle to him.
As they grew with confidence, Shakib dismissed Lewis for 70 to end the
116-run partnership before he also got rid of Nicholas Pooran for 25.
Hetmyer counterattacked in style to accelerate the innings to such extent
that West Indies looked the team to get past 350.
But Bangladesh effectively buried that chance thanks to Mustafizur Rahman
who dealt a double strike just before the third powerplay, taking out Hetmyer
and Andre Russell for 0.
Coincidentally both Russell and Gayle got out for 0, when they were
believed to break the spine of Bangladesh’s bowling in shorter square ground.
However with Jason Holder taking Bangladeshi bowling in disdain, West
Indies’ hope to get past 350 was raised one again.
Mohammad Saifuddin
baffled Holder with change of pace to force him offer a simple catch to
effectively end this chance once again.
Mustafizur who was torn apart by Hope for 19 runs in an over finally got
him when he was just four runs way of his seventh century.
Hope was there for the last hope for West Indies but was dismissed by
Mustafizur after trying to pace the scoreboard. Darren Bravo then took some
lusty blow to help the side pile up a respectable total.
BSS/SMP/SMM/1935 hrs