Hope’s century helps West Indies level series
Opener’s 146 powers visitors to four-wicket win against Bangladesh
Abrilliant century by Shai Hope under pressure guided the West Indies to a four-wicket win against Bangladesh as the visitors squared the One-Day International series 1-1 here yesterday. Replying to Bangladesh’s 255, a crucial 71-run partnership between Keemo Paul and Hope helped the visitors chase down the target with two balls to spare.
Hope, who came to open the innings, remained unbeaten at 146, while his partner Paul was unbeaten on 18 off 31 deliveries.
Earlier, Bangladesh were boosted by half-centuries from Shakib Al Hassan, Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim as they piled up 255 in their 50 overs, but fell short by possibly another 20-odd runs.
Shakib top-scored with 65 off 62 deliveries, while Mushfiqur and Tamim made 62 and 50, respectively, after West Indies put the hosts in to bat.
Mushfiqur and Tamim laid the foundation of the innings with a 111-run stand for the second wicket after Oshane Thomas worked up a lively pace early in the innings. Thomas, who returned bowling figures of 3-54, forced opener Liton Das to leave the field with a toe injury before handing Imrul Kayes a duck for West Indies’ first breakthrough.
Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo dismissed Tamim, who had faced 63 balls, to break the partnership with Mushfiqur, who soon became the second victim of Thomas.
Shakib, who smashed six fours and a six, then guided the lower-order to give Bangladesh a competitive score.