SHARJAH: Defending champions West Indies kept alive their slender hopes of making the semifinals while virtually knocking Bangladesh out of the T20 World Cup with a narrow three-run win on Friday.
Asked to set a target for the third consecutive time in the tournament, West Indies posted 142 for seven with Nicholas Pooran’s 40 off 22 balls being the highlight of their innings.
The wicketkeeper batter hit four sixes and one four.
Roston Chase (39), making his T20 international debut, was the other chief contributor with the bat.
In reply, Bangladesh could manage 139 for five in 20 overs as all West indies bowlers picked one wicket each.
With no points from three matches, Bangladesh are out of the tournament, while West Indies can still sneak into the semifinals, provided they win their remaining matches and other results go in their favour.
Bangladesh began the chase on a poor note, losing openers Mohammad Naim (17) and Shakib Al Hasan (9), who was limping, in the first six overs. But gradually picked up the momentum with wicketkeeper batter Liton Das (44 off 43) taking the initiative.
West Indies, like Bangladesh, were sloppy in the field and the two-time champions were also guilty of missing as many as three run out opportunities.
—PTI

Press Trust of India