BASSETERRE, St Kitts – WINDIES followed up a career-best spell from Kesrick Williams with dynamic batting to seal a seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the rain-affected first iPay One-day International powered by Minister co-sponsored by Marcel here yesterday.
Andre Russell, batting at three, struck three fours and three sixes in the top score of 35 not out from 21 balls and Marlon Samuels made 26 from 13 balls, as the WINDIES successfully chased a revised target of 91 from 11 overs after rain delayed the start to their innings in the contest played under the lights at Warner Park.
Rovman Powell, not out on 15, formalised the result with 11 balls remaining, when he lofted a delivery from Bangladeshi captain and left-arm spinner Shakib-Al-Hasan over long-on for six to give WINDIES a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The final two matches will be contested on Saturday and Sunday at the Central Broward Regional Park in the city of Fort Lauderdale in the American state of Florida.
Earlier, Williams had grabbed 4-28 from four overs, as the visitors were restricted to 143 for nine from their allocation of 20 overs. Mahmudullah top scored with 35 and Liton Das chipped in 24.
Summarised scores:
Bangladesh 143-9 in 20 overs (Mahmudullah 35, Liton Das 24, Shakib-Al-Hasan 19, Ariful Haque 15, Mushfiqur Rahim 15, Mehidy Miraz 11; Kesrick Williams 4-28, Ashley Nurse 2-6, Keemo Paul 2-24). WINDIES 93-3 in 9.1 overs (Andre Russell 35, Marlon Samuels 26, Rovman Powell 15, Mustafizur Rahman 2-18). WINDIES won by seven wickets. (PR/SAT)
