https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
West Indies 142/7
Bangladesh 139/5
West Indies did not have a flawless game, but they did open their account. When they batted first, they only achieved 142 runs thanks to some late pyrotechnics, although it could be claimed that the wicket was difficult to bat on. West Indies won the T20 World Cup 2021 for the first time, defeating Bangladesh by three runs in Sharjah, with Andre Russell’s crucial last over. Bangladesh needed 13 runs in the last over to win, but Russell’s yorkers were so accurate that Mahmudullah and Afif Hossain could only score nine off that over.
The West Indies’ batting once again fell short, notably in the opening 15 overs. They also struggled with ground fielding and catching in general. Nicholas Pooran’s 22-ball 40, as well as Russell, Dwayne Bravo, and Ravi Rampaul’s outstanding death bowling efforts kept them in the game. Without Pooran, who was named Player-of-the-Match for his batting performance, Bangladesh’s bowlers may have shut out the West Indies considerably sooner.
West Indies made up for their lack of boundaries in the opening 15 overs with seven sixes in the following five overs. Pooran got things started with two slog sweeps against Shakib Al Hasan before facing Mahedi Hasan. Jason Holder then smashed two massive sixes past square-leg from Mustafizur Rahman, before Pollard, who had retired unwell in the 13th over, returned to conclude the innings with a six over midwicket. The West Indies got the runs they needed in the last five overs, bringing the total to 142 for 7.
The West Indies had a poor day on the field as well. They missed a few run-out opportunities and squandered three others. They then missed catches and misfielded while defending to make Bangladesh’s job easier. With Bangladesh needing 13 runs in the last over, the game came down to the wire. Andre Russell didn’t throw an interception, but there was a bye, a dropped reception, and a misfield. Mahmudullah had the last four balls and needed to score ten runs. He had it down to four runs required on the penultimate pitch, but he couldn’t get a bat on another Russell yorker.
With two points in the kitty, West Indies have kept their hopes alive. Bangladesh, on the other hand, have now three defeats in three games in the Super 12s. At the moment, they are hanging by the thinnest of the threads.