West Indies cruise to 1-0 lead against Bangladesh

A target of 91 in 11 overs was not expected to bother the reigning T20 world champions, even in the absence of Chris  Gayle. Bangladesh did cause early damage to West Indies, with Mustafizur Rahman taking removing Evin Lewis (caught at backward point) and Andre Fletcher (an edge behind, to Mushfiqur Rahim) in the space of five balls in the second over. At that stage West Indies needed 81 in 54 balls.

1st T20I Scorecard 

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But that was all in the day for Bangladesh: Andre Russell (35 not out in 21 balls, 3 fours, 3 sixes) and Marlon Samuels (26 in 13, 2 fours, 2 sixes) added a quick 42; and when Samuels fell, all Rovman Powell (15 not out in 9 balls, 2 sixes) had to do was to watch Russell tear into the Bangladesh attack. West Indies cruised home with 11 balls to spare. Mustafizur, having started with a double-wicket maiden, conceded 18 off his second over.

West Indies vs Bangladesh series page 

Russell started with a six off Shakib Al Hasan in the sixth over, over deep mid-wicket into the stands. His biggest hit came off Mustafizur, in the same zone but beating the previous one by many a mile. The third, the one that as good as decided the contest, was off Nazmul Islam, a straight, brutal shot. Sixes came from Fletcher, Samuels, and Powell as well.

Earlier, Ashley Nurse stunned Bangladesh by dismissing both Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar for golden ducks inside the first four balls. Bangladesh never recovered, with Kesrick Williams (4 for 28) and Keemo Paul (2 for 24) striking at regular intervals.

Brief scores:

Bangladesh 143 for 9 in 20 overs [Liton Das 24(21), Mahmudullah 35(27); Ashley Nurse 1-0-6-2, Keemo Paul 4-0-24-2, Kesrick Williams 4-0-28-4] lost to West Indies 93 for 3 in 9.1 overs [Andre Russell 35*(21), Marlon Samuels 26(13); Mustafizur Rahman 2-1-18-2, Rubel Hossain 2-0-13-1] by 7 wickets with 11 balls to spare by DLS method.

Player of the Match: Andre Russell.