Cricket: Bangladesh thrash woeful West Indies

Skittle out visitors for 61 to claim consolation win.

CHITTAGONG: West Indies were bowled out for just 61, their second lowest One-Day International (ODI) total, as Bangladesh romped to an eight-wicket win in the final match of the ODI series. West Indies won the series 2-1.

Left-arm spinner Shakibal Hasan was in brilliant form, claiming career-best figures of four for 16, as the tourists, sent into bat first in murky overcast conditions, lasted just 22 overs.

West Indies’ lowest ODI total came in 2004 when they were dismissed for 54 by South Africa in Cape Town.

Only two West Indies batsmen reached double figures -- Kieron Pollard top-scoring with 25 and debutant Carlos Braithwaite making 11.

Shafiul Islam and Nasir Hossain took two wickets apiece to complement Shakib.

Bangladesh showed little urgency in reply after losing two wickets with 30 runs on the board, and were happy to wait 20 overs to complete their chase despite the threat of rain. Local boy Tamim Iqbal hit an unbeaten 36.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19^th, 2011.