West Indies beat Bangladesh by seven wickets in first Twenty20

BASSETERRE: Andre Russell made an unbeaten 35 from 21 balls to guide the world champion West Indies to a sevenwicket win in the rainaffected first Twenty20 international against Bangladesh.

Russell hit three fours and three sixes as the West Indies took only 9.1 overs to reach a target of 91, adjusted under the Duckworth-Lewis Stern system, after Bangladesh made 1439 in 20 overs on being sent in to bat.

Light rain began to fall just as the Bangladesh innings ended, keeping the players from the field for some time and causing the West Indies’ target to be revised to 91 from 11 overs.

They reached the target with 11 balls to spare.

Andre Nurse backed the West Indies’ decision to field first with an opening over in which he dismissed Bangladesh openers Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar for ducks. He didn’t bowl again and finished with 26. The Bangladesh batsmen, who had shown improved form to win the oneday international series after losing the Tests, struggled to settle and build partnerships, often falling to rash shots.

After a small revival between Liton Das (24) and captain Shakib al Hasan, Keemo Paul dismissed both batsmen with the total 43.

Russell tied down the batsmen with changes of pace and length and Kesrick Williams prevented a late recovery, taking 448 and bowling topscorer Mahmudullah for 35.

The West Indies were in trouble early at 102 but Russell steadied the innings in a 42run partnership with Marvin Samuels.

Rovman Powell (15 not out), joined him to clinch the win and a 10 lead in the threematch series. — AP