Shakib Al Hasan’s all-round masterclass helped Bangladesh seal a seven-wicket win against the West Indies in Taunton.
An enthralling battle took place at Taunton between the West Indies and Bangladesh.
Bangladesh put the West Indies in to bat, and their decision proved to be the right one when Mohammad Saifuddin removed Chris Gayle for a 13-ball duck.
The Windies batted with discipline and aggression to spark their recover. Even Lewis led from the front and strung together 116 runs with Shai Hope.
Lewis was dismissed for 70 by Shakib and the all-rounder followed this up with the wicket of Nicholas Pooran (25) as they were reduced to 159-3.
Hope played what he described as a measured innings and was helped by Shimron Hetmyer who contributed 50 to an 83-run partnership that took his side to 242 before the latter was dismissed halfway through the 40th over.
Hope watched three more wickets fall as he took his side within three of the 300-run mark, but he lost his wicket on 96 with three overs left in the match.
The West Indies managed to squeeze out 321 in their 50 overs.
Bangladesh were comfortable at the chase, despite losing three wickets. Tamim Iqbal contributed 48 before losing his wicket, but it was Shakib and Liton Das who were to seal a victory for their side.
Shakib added to his 2-54 with a century. This was his second century on the trot, after scoring 121 against England.
This was Liton’s World Cup debut and he supported Shakib perfectly by scoring a half-century.
Shakib ended with 124 off 99 balls and Liton finished with 94 off 69 balls as Bangladesh sealed a seven-wicket win with eight-and-a-half overs remaining.
This took Bangladesh to fifth on the World Cup log.
Photo: Cricket World Cup/Twitter
