Bangladesh stun West Indies, West Indies go back home

13 Sep 2007, Johannesburg: Bangladesh defeated West Indies by six wickets and 12 deliveries to spare in the Group A match of Twenty20 cricket World Cup at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. With this defeat, West Indies cricket team, who earlier had lost the first match against South Africa, are out of Twenty20 cricket World Cup.

The credit for the stupendous performance of Bangladesh cricket team goes to three players—Mohammad Ashraful, the man of the match, Aftab Ahmed, who cracked an unbeaten 62 runs, and bowler Shakib Al Hasan, who picked up four wickets.

Bangladesh cricket team batsman, Ashraful, also created a new record of the fastest half-century off just 20 balls for the shortest version of cricket. His knock of 61 runs came from 27 balls that included 7 fours and 3 sixes.

The previous fastest half-century of Twenty20 cricket was made by Chris Gayle of West Indies cricket team in the inaugural match of South Africa cricket World Cup against South African cricket team. Gayle had reached that milestone in 26 deliveries.

Bangladesh cricket team had won the toss and had called West Indies to bat first. Right from the first ball, Bangladesh cricket team seemed focused to do well in the Twenty20 cricket. Their strike bowler, Syed Rasel, bowled two dot balls in the first over, which is incredible for Twenty20 cricket, and on the third delivery he took the prized wicket of Chris Gayle for 0 run, who gave a catch to Alok Kapali at point.

At that time, West Indies cricket team were 0 for the loss of one wicket. However, after the fall of first wicket, Smith and Chanderpaul batted well and added 95 runs when Chanderpaul became the victim of Abdur Razzak at a personnel score of 37 runs.

Most of the West Indies batsmen batted well. However, for Bangladesh, Mohammad Ashraful and Aftab Ahmed made the difference.

Bangladesh, too, lost two quick wickets in the initial overs. First wicket of Nazimuddin in the second over for one run on board; and the second wicket of Tamin Iqbal, who made 10 runs, with 28 runs on board.

However, after that, it was the partnership of Mohammad Ashraful and Aftab Ahmed who took their team close to victory; and the final victory run was scored by Alok Kapali of Rampaul’s overs.