A contrasting half-centuries from Rovman Powell and Brandon King exposed West Indies’ brilliant batting effort en route to a 35-run victory over Bangladesh in the second T20 International in Dominica on Sunday.
Powell’s 61 not out in 28 balls and opener King’s 57 off 43 balls took the home team to 193 runs in ideal conditions, batting first.
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Despite Test captain Shakib Al Hasan’s unbeaten 68, the visitors lacked urgency through their innings and were limited to 158 for six in reply.
Seamers Romario Shepherd and Obed McCoy took two wickets each, while spinners Akil Hossein and Hayden Walsh proved to be the most economical as their variations made it difficult for Bangladesh to develop any sort of batting rhythm.
West Indies lead the series 1-0 after no result in a rain-ravaged first match at the same venue on Saturday.
The Guyana National Stadium in Providence hosts the final match on Thursday in which Bangladesh need to win to share honors in the series before a three-match One Day International duel at the same venue.
Powell’s innings, studded with six sixes and two fours, earned him the man of the match award.
Powell said, ‘My plan at the crease is very simple. “I want to make a start, even if it takes a while because I know I can make up for it later in the innings.
“I have been struggling a lot with spin but I have to give credit to my coach (former West Indies Test opener) Robert Samuels for helping me adjust my game.”
Powell came to the crease on the back of a 74-run second wicket partnership between King and captain Nicholas Pooran (34).
He dominated the 63-run fifth-wicket stand to ensure Bangladesh faced an uphill challenge.
They were never really in the hunt after McCoy removed openers Liton Das and Anamul Haque with his first two balls, although Shakib’s milestone of reaching 2,000 runs and therefore 2,000 runs and 100 in T20Is. Became the first player to complete the double of the wicket. As some consolation.
Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah said, “We bowled a lot of loose deliveries at the top which gave them momentum in their innings and then Rowe snatched it from us with an unbelievable innings.”
“We were not good with the bat either. Shakib batted really well but we needed at least one other player to be with him to give him a chance.
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