WI VS BANGLADESH T20 SERIES SUMMARY

PRELUDE – HIGH-FLYING HOSTS

With a 2-0 Test series victory in the bag, the hosts could be excused for feeling confident and full of hype. Their efforts throughout the Test matches included good performances from numerous members of the squad. Now, however, as the series swapped red balls for white, the personnel changes would be significant as well. Only Mayers, Joseph, and Brooks from amongst the regular Test players were retained in the T20 line-up. Skipper Pooran prepared to lead his troops into battle, knowing fully that the momentum of the Test victories had to be maintained. On paper, his team looked an intimidating force, with seasoned performers returning to action. Powell, King, and Thomas brought aggression aplenty to the batting ranks, whilst McCoy, Hosein, Smith, and Shepherd bolstered bowling options. The idyllic island of Dominica, venue for the first two matches, waited with bated breath for the excitement to unfold.

MATCH 1 – THE ROSEAU RAINS

The cricket-loving faithful turned out in droves to welcome their Men in Maroon to Windsor Park. This was the first International match being held at the venue since it was devasted in 2017 by Hurricane Maria. Nobody sought the blessings of the weather Gods for this rebirth, however, as the heavens opened up early and repeatedly. After a wet outfield led to a late start, Skipper Pooran put the visitors in to bat first. Hosein struck with the 3rd ball of the innings but the in form Shakib fought back immediately. In tandem with Anamul Haque, he put on a rapid 34 runs in just 2 overs before Haque fell to McCoy. Bangladesh were looking steady on 56-2 at the start of the 7th over before things began falling apart. Firstly, Das fell to Shepherd for 9 and then a Walsh double strike the next over accounted for Shakib and Hossain. Tottering on 60-5, the visitors were undoubtedly the happier team as rain swept across the grounds again.

This second delay reduced the Bangladesh innings to 13 overs and skipper Mahmudullah knew they needed runs quickly. His urgency saw him fall for 8 chasing a wide delivery and the end seemed nigh for the visitors. A timely cameo from wicketkeeper Hasan, including two beautiful maximums, helped to raise the momentum a bit. His eventual score of 25 rallied the total to 105-8, leaving the WI with a potentially ticklish chase. A required run rate at a touch above 8 runs an over is not always a stroll in the park. The Bangladeshi bowling unit was an accomplished and varied one and the crowd was anticipating some early fireworks. Sadly, the Roseau rains would have none of it, returning with enough vim and vigor that the WI chase never began. As anti-climatic as an abandonment surely was, it was heartening to see the WI bowlers all taking wickets. Hopefully, better conditions would prevail on match day #2.

MATCH 2 – POWELL BRINGS THE PAIN

What a difference 24 hours makes. Somebody, somewhere, must have done the requisite dance to appease the notoriously fickle weather Gods, but I highly doubt it was Athar Ali Khan. I simply can’t picture the dapper commentator trading in his stylish suits for a grass skirt and face paint. Maybe it was good old Samuel Badree, in an attempt to bowl a googly to the aforementioned weather deities. Regardless of the who, the outcome was a smashing success. The dark clouds and gloomy skies of the previous day morphed into gorgeous sunshine against a serene blue backdrop. The fans were again out in force and looking to enjoy the cricketing feast they were denied on day 1. Pooran opted for first strike on winning the toss, no doubt aiming to put early pressure on his opponents. Bangladesh were undaunted, sending back Mayers and Brooks by the fourth over to leave WI on 26-2. Game well and truly on.

The home skipper strode out to the middle to join Brandon King and they set about steadying the ship. A partnership of 74 from 56 deliveries unfolded, with the pair matching each other stride for stride and stroke for stroke. Pooran’s dismissal for 34 in the scoreless 13th over gave Bangladesh a glimmer of hope, but along came Rovman Powell. The new WI vice-captain channelled the spirit of 2017’s Hurricane Maria as he proceeded to unleash his full range of power. He raced to his fifty off just 20 deliveries, putting on 63 with King, of which the latter only contributed 12. Powell’s brutality included 6 mighty blows beyond the ropes and his unbeaten 61 led WI to a commanding 193-5. With such a healthy target to defend, the WI bowlers were free to go on the attack immediately. They obliged beautifully.

With his first 2 deliveries of the innings’ 2nd over, McCoy rocked the Bangladesh reply, sending Das and Haque packing. Mahmudullah followed just after to Smith and the opposition chase lay in early tatters at 26-3 with only 3 overs bowled. Shakib was not prepared to surrender without a fight. Like the proverbial tiger caught by the tail, Bangladesh’s wily veteran launched his own counter offensive. Successive partnerships of 55, 19, and 53 with Afif, Hasan, and Mosaddek kept the visitors in the hunt. In the end, though, Bangladesh could not overhaul their host’s daunting total, finishing on 158-6. Shakib’s unbeaten 68 was a gem of a knock, but there was simply no one to reproduce Powell’s big hitting capabilities. Walsh, though wicketless, was the most economical of the home bowlers, and again looked more confident in this format. 2 wickets apiece for McCoy and Shepherd were fair rewards for their efforts. The host left Dominica with a 1-0 series leave and would expect to wrap things up in the final match.

MATCH 3 – POORAN POWERS WI TO VICTORY

From the tiny shores of Dominica, the battle moved to Guyana’s vast expanse for the final game of the series. Legend says that if there was a drought in Guyana, one need only knock a cricket stump into the ground. Sure enough, the start of the day’s play was delayed by rain. I guess the dance in Dominica was not covered by the local cable networks. Bangladesh won the toss and Mahmudullah chose to bat first, perhaps holding out hope for rain eventually returning. No such luck, however. Das was the aggressor in an opening stand of 35, but he lost Haque and Shakib by the 6th over. At 42-2, Bangladesh needed a steadying partnership and Das found help in Afif Hossain, raising 57 off 44 balls. When Das fell with the total on 99, Hossain soldiered on with skipper Mahmudullah, adding a further 49 runs. Their efforts took Bangladesh to a final total of 163-5, admittedly not insurmountable, but certainly something to work with.

Mahmudullah came after the WI batters with a 4-pronged spin attack from start, and his bowlers did not disappoint him. They combined to dismiss King, Brooks, and Smith to leave WI on 47-3 by the end of the 7th over. Mayers and Pooran would patiently await the introduction of the quicker bowlers and duly launched their counterattack when pace arrived. A rapid partnership of 85 from 51 deliveries highlighted the full range of shots of both batters. Mayers eventually fell for 55 but skipper Pooran powered on. He put on 25 with Powell and 16 with Hosein as he charged down victory with 10 deliveries to spare. Pooran’s unbeaten 74 was a beautiful mix of classy shot and savage blows. His 5 sweetly timed boundaries were balanced by 5 brutal hits for six, marking a welcome return to form.

The WI now take successive 2-0 victories into the upcoming 3 match ODI series against Bangladesh at Guyana’s Providence Stadium. Momentum is definitely with the hosts, and their confidence must be sky-high. They would do well, however, to not count out their opponents. Even though their recent ODI form is nothing to shout about, Bangladesh will surely want to end the tour on a high note. They know that Pakistan completely outplayed the WI recently and this will give them a template to look at. A more competitive showing from their batters and bowlers would be the least to expect. For the WI, who will make slight personnel adjustments, the opportunity to complete a rare 3 series sweep beckons.