Karishma Ramharack and Afy Fletcher were the mainstays of West Indies’ crushing eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh in a T20 World Cup game played in Sharjah. After the two spinners ran through Bangladesh’s batting order, the Caribbean side chased down the target of 104 in a mere 12.5 overs.
Right from the time the off-spinner, Karishma, dismissed Shathi Rani for nine, the West Indies maintained ascendancy in the game. Dilara Akter and Sobhana Mostary tried to steady the innings, before the former fell to Karishma. Nigar Sultana, the Bangladesh skipper, then held the innings together with a 44-ball 39. However, she didn’t get much support from the rest of the batters.
Dilara’s 19 turned out to be the second highest score of the innings while Mostary chipped in with a 22-ball 16. Eventually, Niger too was dismissed, losing her wicket to Hayley Matthews in the final over. Meanwhile, Fletcher and Karishma spun a web around Bangladesh’s batters, sharing six spoils between them for the cost of just 42 runs. Matthews proved to be an able ally, picking up one wicket for just 19 runs.
Matthews also led from the front with the bat in hand, accruing a quick-fire 22-ball 34. She took a heavy toll on especially Nahida Akter in the fourth over, cracking two fours. Matthews was dislodged by Murafa Akter in the eighth over while Shemaine Campbelle fell in the 12th. By then, the West Indies were coasting towards the target.
Deandra Dottin, the big-hitting all-rounder, provided the finishing touches, smacking Rabeya Khan for a couple of sixes. With this victory, the West Indies have also improved their NRR to 1.708. The only minus point for the Caribbean side was the experienced Stafanie Taylor had to retire hurt with 31 needed for victory. For most part of the innings, Taylor was seen limping around.
Brief Scores: Bangladesh 103/8 in 20 overs (Nigar Sultana 39; Karishma Ramharack 4-17, Afy Fletcher 2-25) lost to the West Indies 104/2 in 12.5 overs (Hayley Matthews 34; Murafa Akter 1-20) by eight wickets.