BANGLA DESTROYED BY GAYLE’S GALE

Javed Ali, SQUARE CUT, YaHind Sports

The gritty West Indies scored a whipping 10-wicket victory against Bangladesh in the 4th qualifying match being played at Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Jaipur. Skipper Habibul Bashar won the toss and elected to bat on a docile wicket, a perfect platform for the batsmen. After losing an early wicket Shahryar and Aftab played with determination for a valuable partnership of 85 runs and they were comfortable placed at 95 for 2, Collymore struck then for two quick wickets quashing their hopes. It was just come & go for the rest of the Bangalis and they were folded up for 161 all out not even completing the quota of 50 overs. West Indies chasing a moderate total began with their in-form opener Chris Gayle who smashed the Bangla new ball bowlers as well as the spinners to every corner of the ground, his swashbuckling knock of 104 in 118 balls contained 11 powerful hits to the fence and 3 mighty sixes, umpires had to call for spare balls on two occasions when Gayle had hit them over the Shamiana. Shivnaraine Chanderpaul came up with a sweet half-century to end up the game.