Windies sent packing

13 September 2007

Aftab Ahmed sees Bangladesh home with a magnificent unbeaten 62 © Getty Images

West Indies slumped to another low when they were bundled out of the ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa.

Bangladesh followed up Zimbabwe’s shock defeat of Australia with a clinical six-wicket destruction of West Indies in Johannesburg to book their place in the Super 8s and pile on the misery for their shell-shocked opponents.

West Indies were pilloried for their failure in the World Cup and, after losing to hosts South Africa on the opening day of this tournament, they will be bracing themselves for another backlash after bowing out of the inaugural Twenty20 competition without winning a match.

Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful led the way for his side with the fastest international Twenty20 half-century, reaching the milestone off just 20 deliveries with a six off a free hit from Fidel Edwards.

Ashraful, dropped by Edwards on 29, went on to make 61 off just 27 balls and put on 109 for the third wicket with Aftab Ahmed, who finished 62 not out.

West Indies, put in to bat after the start was delayed for 90 minutes to allow the pitch to dry out after overnight watering, made just 164 for eight on a surface receptive to spin.

They never recovered from the early shock of losing Chris Gayle, who followed up his spectacular 117 against South Africa with a third-ball duck.

A 95-run partnership for the second wicket between opener Devon Smith (51) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (37) enabled West Indies to post a respectable total, but it never looked enough.

Shakib Al Hasan took 4-34 but the bowling hero was Syed Rasel, who conceded just 10 runs off his four overs and claimed the prized wicket of Gayle.

Bangladesh made good use of the improved conditions when they batted but they were aided by some familiar slipshod work in the field from West Indies.

Ashraful struck Daren Powell for four boundaries in his first over and, when he was eventually dismissed by Ramnaresh Sarwan, Ahmed continued the onslaught, seeing his side home with two overs to spare.