West Indies secured a historic 17-run victory to white wash host Bangladesh as they clinched the 2match series 2-0 . Cornwall was the star with the ball as he ended up getting 9 wickets in the match with figures of 5-74 and was followed by 4-105 in the second innings.
West Indies had won the 1st test by 3 wickets when they chased a huge target of 395 runs. The Windies were able to control the match and held their nerves better than the other side in pressure situations . West indies scored 409 runs in the 1st innings with the help of Bonners’s 90 and da Silva’s 92 . In reply Bangladesh were bowled out for 296 runs with L.Das being the top scorer with 71 runs and with valuable half centuries from Rahim(54) , Mehidy (57) and a quick fire 44 from T.Iqbal . Giant offspiner Cornwall was the star with the ball as he picked up a 5 wicket haul to restrict Bangladesh to 296 runs which helped the Windies to have a lead of 113 runs.
The Windies in their second innings were bundled out for a poor 117 runs as they kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and were not able to make full advantage of their 113 run lead . T.Islam was the pick of the Bangladeshi bowlers with figures of 4-36 . There were only three 10 digit scores in the West Indian second innings with N.Bonner (38) being the top scorer. Double centurion in the previous match , Mayers failed again as he was able to make only 6 runs.
With the poor batting of the Windies in their second innings, Bangladesh were given a target of 231 runs to win the match and level the series. It was a tough task but Tamil Iqbal gave a blistering start to the Bangladesh 2nd innings as he scored a positive 50 (46) . At that point this target seemed very gettable with the time left in the game and the batting to come. But there was a sense of relief as captain Brathwaite dismissed both Iqbal and Sarkar . Captain M. Haque got some small but valuable partnerships with Rahim and Shanto . Cornwall then spun a web as he went through the Bangladeshi middle order by picking up key wickets and especially of L.Das (22) who looked comfortable playing spin . Cornwall was well supported by J.Warrican who picked up important wickets of Haque (26) and Rahim (14).
But when the 9th Bangladeshi wicket fell with 43 runs still to get , M.Hasan started playing some shots and was aggressive in his approach . He hit Cornwall for 2 consecutive sixes in an over . M.Hasan was taking the game away from the Windies. With 17runs required , in Came the moment which will be remembered by people for ages as J.Warrican dismissed the dangerous M.Hasan for 31 when Giant Cornwall took an one handed low diving catch which he will cherish for the rest of his life.
The celebrations that followed after this was tremendous. Cornwall was adjusted the player of the match for his excellent contributions. Warrican and Brathwaite picked 3 wicket each .
Bangladesh will be gutted when they will look back at the series as they could’ve won both matches but were out played completely by West Indies. Bangladesh will be disappointed as they missed some key opportunities which they would’ve liked to cash in. This was an extraordinary performance from the Windies as the completed a clean sweep over Bangladesh in Bangladesh by 2-0 with an under strength side as all the big players were rested . This will be remembered by Windies fans and fans all around the world for a long long time.
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