Sammy sets up series-levelling win

Bangla­desh crumbl­e while chasin­g 212 in 4th ODI.

DHAKA: Darren Sammy hit a fighting half-century and then grabbed three early wickets to help the West Indies beat Bangladesh by 75 runs in the fourth One-Day International yesterday.

He scored an unbeaten 60 to take the tourists to 211 for nine after opting to bat first, and his impressive bowling was central to an attack that saw the home team out for 136 in 34.1 overs at Shere Bangla stadium. The victory meant the five-match series is now level at 2-2, setting up a high-stakes final showdown today.

Bangladesh’s Mohammad Mahmudullah, who remained unbeaten on 56, added 74 runs for the sixth wicket with skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (27) but once the partnership was broken by Sunil Narine all was lost for the home team.

Earlier, Bangladeshi spinners Mahmudullah (three for 46), Elias Sunny (two for 21) and Abdur Razzak (two for 47) derailed the West Indian innings in the middle overs after the tourists were cruising along at 71 for one. West Indian opener Chris Gayle failed once again as he was dismissed for 16.

Bangladesh won the first two matches by seven wickets and 160 runs respectively, while the West Indies clinched the third in Dhaka by four wickets.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th, 2012.