ROSEAU: Rovman Powell’s blistering knock coupled with Brandon King’s impressive start stunned Bangladesh as West Indies clinched a 35-run victory in the second T20I, here on Monday.
Set to chase a massive target of 194 runs, Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib ul Hasan put up lone resistance of 68 runs, which eventually went in vain as the touring side managed to score 158 runs in their twenty overs.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, West Indies underwent an ordinary start losing two early wickets on 26 before King and skipper Nicholas Pooran combined excellently to build a strong partnership of 74 runs.
Part-timer Mossaddek Hussain got rid of skipper Pooran in the 13th over to dislodge the dangerous-looking pair. King, who scored 57 off 43 balls, remained firm on the crease and combined with Powell to build another impressive partnership of 73 runs.
Powell accelerated the West Indian inning as he blasted unbeaten 61 runs on 28 balls smashing half-a-dozen sixes and two fours, helping his side to set a huge total of 193 runs.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, showcased a dismal start to their chase as West Indian left-arm pacer Obed McCoy grabbed two early wickets to force the opponents into crisis.
Shakib, however, braved the opponent’s fierce bowling attack and combined excellently with all-rounder Afif Hossain for the 4th wicket partnership of 55 runs.
Afif fell prey to Romario Shepherd after he scored 34 runs off 27 balls, laced with four boundaries and a six. Bangladesh lost the track of its chase after the dismissal as West Indies bowled tightly to the lower order, barring them from swinging the bat freely.
Both McCoy and Shepherd took two wickets apiece, meanwhile, Smith and Akeal Hosein made one scalp each.
It is worth mentioning here that West Indies have clinched a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after the first match was washed out yesterday.
READ: ‘I will always keep Australian cricket first, then franchise cricket’ Starc
