Ali blasts Bangladesh to T20 series sweep of WI

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC):

Jaker Ali’s explosive half century coupled with another abysmal batting performance by the West Indies helped Bangladesh romp to an 80-run victory in the third and final T20I here at Arnos Vale on Thursday.

Player of the Match Ali rescued the visitors with a crucial, unbeaten 72 from 41 balls to get them up to 189 for seven from their 20 overs, before the Windies’ batsmen crumbled for the third time in the series to be bowled out for a paltry 109 in 16.4 overs, to give Bangladesh a 3-0 series sweep, their first such result in a T20I series in over two years.

Yet again, the West Indies’ bowlers had the better of the early exchanges, limiting Bangladesh to 114 for six after 15 overs.

Bangladesh’s opening pair of captain Litton Das and Parvez Hossain Emon actually gave their side a blistering start by belting 44 runs inside the first five overs.

Without the services of the format’s best bowler Akeal Hosein, who left the team following the second T20I due to commitments in the Big Bash, his replacement Jayden Seales along with Romario Shepherd and Alzarri Joseph struggled to contain the duo.

Shepherd eventually got the breakthrough when he had Das caught at short extra cover by Brandon King for 13 after his miscued shot ballooned into the air.

Joseph, who was blasted for a six and four by Emon in his first over, got his revenge by having him caught at fine leg by Justin Greaves after scoring 39 from 21 balls, to leave the score 54 for two.

Bangladesh then suffered yet another mini collapse, losing Tanzid Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shamim Hossain and Mahedi Hasan to slump to 114 for six.

But Ali, who thought he had been run out when he was 18, only to be recalled by TV umpire Zahid Bassarath when replays showed Shamim Hossain had placed his bat inside the crease after Ali, ensured Bangladesh finished with a flourish.

RELIABLE PARTNER

He found a reliable partner in Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and the pair added 50 runs in four overs to give Bangladesh the momentum.

Ali thumped Joseph for a six and a four in the 16th over, and the duo smashed Obed McCoy for two sixes and a four in the 18th over that leaked 20 runs.

He eventually brought up his half century off 36 balls in the final over when he smashed Joseph over short third man for a boundary, before ending the innings in grand style by launching him for three sixes off the last four balls.

In all, Ali hit six sixes and three fours to propel Bangladesh to their highest T20I score in the Caribbean.

Any hope the West Indies had of a consolation win was dashed inside the first 10 overs of their chase.

Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed trapped Brandon King leg before wicket with the second ball of the innings without a run on the board, and seven runs later debutant Justin Greaves hit Player of the Series Mahedi Hasan straight down the throat of long on.

Opener Johnson Charles and Nicholas Pooran tried their best during a 38-run partnership, but Mahedi Hasan struck again, bowling the latter for 15 with a quicker delivery that kept low to reduce the West Indies to 45 for three in the sixth over.

The match was decided in the next three overs when Hasan Mahmud dismissed Roston Chase for a duck, Charles was run out for 23 and captain Rovman Powell was caught behind for just two off the bowling of Rishad Hossain, to leave the Windies all but lost at 60 for six.

Shepherd delivered a few lusty blows during his cameo of 33, but Rishad Hossain quickly took care of the tail to hand the West Indies one of their most embarrassing defeats.

Hossain was the pick of the bowlers with 3-21, while Ahmed and Hasan took two wickets each.