DHAKA – West Indies took a giant stride towards the World Cup quarter-finals by pounding lacklustre Bangladesh by nine wickets in a key Group B match on Friday. Lanky spinner Sulieman Benn grabbed 4-18, and fast bowlers Kemar Roach and skipper Darren Sammy claimed three each, to bowl out Bangladesh for their lowest one-day total of 58 in 18.5 overs.
The West Indies surpassed the small target in 12.2 overs even before the lights came on for the day-night game at the packed Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Dhaka. Chris Gayle, who had been ill at the start of the game, remained unbeaten on 37 off 36 balls, while Darren Bravo was on nine after Devon Smith was bowled by off-spinner Naeem Islam for six.
With only their second win in the last 11 one-day internationals, the West Indies have four points from three matches, the same as group leaders South Africa, who have played one match less. Bangladesh, with one win from three games, were left with a mountain to climb to stay in contention for the quarter-finals.
The hosts must win their remaining league matches against England, South Africa and the Netherlands to ensure a place in the last eight. A sell-out crowd of 25,000 jeered the home team and threw paper placards on the field after Bangladesh fell below their previous low of 74 against Australia in Darwin in 2008. Bangladesh’s reckless batting on a slow wicket saw them being bowled out for the lowest total in this World Cup after Kenya made 69 against New Zealand.
It was also the fourth lowest total in World Cup history. “We never thought we would bat this poorly. We have been playing good cricket for the last 12 months and have been consistent with the bat. We will have to sit down and think about this,” said Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan. Sammy said: “It was a brilliant performance. We went out there knowing how crucial this game was. We always fancy ourselves but it’s up to us to get out there and perform consistently.”
The home team lost hard-hitting opener Tamim Iqbal off the third ball of the match when the left-hander attemped a lofty cover drive off Roach and edged a catch to Sammy at second slip. Sammy, who handed the new ball to left-armer Benn for one over before coming on himself, forced Imrul Kayes to edge a catch to wicket-keeper Devon Thomas with his third delivery.
In his next over, Sammy removed Mushfiqur Rahim for no score, the young batsman flicking a catch to Ramnaresh Sarwan at short-mid-wicket. Junaid Siddique hit a fluent 25 with four boundaries when he fell leg-before to Roach, a decision that was referred to TV umpire Asad Rauf.
Benn, who replaced Roach after the fast bowler’s five-over spell that cost just 18 runs for two wickets, bowled Shakib with his second ball. Sammy earned another success in his sixth over, the 14th of the innings, when Raqibul Hasan drove a slower ball to point where the towering Kieron Pollard took a low catch.
