By Rajiv Bisnauth
A spirited West Indies Under-19 clinched a sensational 67-run victory in a low-scoring thriller to avoid a series loss and restore some pride in the fifth one-day international against the Bangladesh Under-19 on Wednesday evening at the Guyana National Stadium.
The hosts were first bundled out for a paltry 177 in 46.3 overs before their bowlers put on a brilliant bowling display to stop the visitors at 110 in 38.3 overs in the nerve-wracking day/night contest.
Fortunes fluctuated for the teams before the hosts finally brought some cheer to the small holiday crowd with the dramatic victory. The seven-match series now stands at 3-2 in the Bangladeshis’ favour.
It was another poor batting display by the Caribbean side that never really got going after medium pacer Prodhan Rifat (2-17) caused early damage. Zubair Likhon (4-20) and Mossadek Saika (2-19) then contributed with key scalps at critical junctures.
Meanwhile, the Bangladeshis, chasing the small target, were rocked by pacers Ray Jordan (2-30) and Man-of-the-Match Preston McSween (4-20) within the first 11 overs to be precariously placed at 35 for 4.
Jordan removed Jummon (7) and followed it up with the wicket of Saikat (2) while McSween removed Udding and Shanto without scoring. The visitors then staged a mini-recovery through a gritty 20-run partnership between Sadman Anik (49) and captain Mehedi Mira (16), who were the top contributors for Bangladesh.
Spinners Gudakesh Motie, Ramaal Lewis and Taryck Gabriel all claimed a wicket apiece.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul stroked a half-century after West Indies had earlier won the toss and opted to bat.
Chanderpaul hit 51 with Shimron Hetmyre (29), Tristan Coleman (23), Nicholas Pooran (23) and Fabian Allen (15 not out) being the other batsmen to reach double figures, in yet another woeful batting display by the West Indies.
The Bangladeshis’ varied attack kept a tight rein on the scoring with Likhon leading the way.
West Indies made a disastrous start after deciding to bat first, losing Leroy Lugg off the first ball of the innings, offering an easy catch to wicketkeeper Jashim Uddin off medium pacer Prodhan Rifat.
Hetmyer joined Chanderpaul and played some exquisite strokes, smashing six handsome fours in his 19-ball 29, but just when he was looking dangerous, Rifat made another breakthrough. Hetmyer chipped a simple catch to Mossadek Saikat at backward point, to leave the hosts’ at 36 for 2.
However, the pair of Coleman and Chanderpaul scored at a pedestrian pace against the spin and lacked the intensity, scoring just 43 runs in 18 overs, before Coleman (23) succumbed.
With the momentum shifted the Bangladeshis’ way, the left- handed, Chanderpaul decided to accelerate after his slow start. He and Taryck Gabriel took the West Indies to three figures in the 27th over, but the latter perished soon after.
Chanderpaul, together with Pooran, then maintained a steady scoring rate for the next 8.3 overs, before both batsmen were dismissed at 145.
The 17-year-old, Chanderpaul departed after striking six boundaries and a six in an innings that required 94 balls. West Indies scraped 32 runs for the last four wickets.
Game six is scheduled for Saturday at the Albion Community Centre ground from 09:00h. Admission to the venue is free.
