World T20: West Indies thrash Bangladesh by 73 runs

Dhaka, (IANS/CMC) Defending champions, the West Indies, bounced back from their loss to India in the first match wih a massive 73-run win over hosts Bangladesh in a Group 2 encounter of the ICC World Twenty20 at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium here Tuesday.

Opener Dwayne Smith slammed a 43-ball 72, studded with 10 fours and three sixes, while his partner Chris Gayle hit an uncharacteristic run-a-ball 48 to fire the West Indies up to 171 for seven, reports CMC.

In reply, Bangladesh were bowled out for 98 runs with five balls to spare. West Indies spinner Samuel Badree picked up four for 15 and pacer Krishmar Santokie got three for 17. Andre Russell also got two for 10.

Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rehman was the top scorer with 22 while Mashrafe Mortaza made 19.

Earlier, put in by Bangladesh, Smith cracked ten fours and three sixes in scoring 72 off 43 balls and got support from a strangely sedate Gayle who scored a run-a-ball 48. The pair added 97 for the first wicket but once Smith departed, the Windies failed to find a meaningful partnership.

They were held back by a brilliant spell from young seamer Al-Amin Hossain who grabbed three for 21, with all three wickets coming in a superb last over that cost just four runs.

West Indies are chasing their first win after losing their opening game to India on Sunday while Bangladesh are starting their Super10 campaign after safely navigating the qualifying phase.

--IANS/CMC

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