|| CF Correspondent ||

Shakib Al Hasan spun the ball viciously to claim his career-best five for 21 as Bangladesh leveled the three-match T20 series with a comprehensive 36-run win over West Indies in the second match yesterday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

The captain also provided a late blitz in batting, hitting a 26 ball-42, studded with five fours and one six to steer Bangladesh 211 for four, their second highest T20 total and the venue’s highest total after which his wily left-arm spin dismissed West Indies to 175 in 19.2 overs. 

After an eight-wicket thrashing in the first T20, the victory kept Bangladesh’s ambition of a tour sweep alive following its 2-0 win in Test and 2-1 win in ODI series.

Opener Liton Das set the platform, smashing 60 off 34, his second half-century was laced with six fours and four sixes after West Indies captain Carlos Brathwaite opted to bowl first, keeping the dew factor in mind.

Liton kept the scoreboard ticking, following the dismissal of senior opener Tamim Iqbal (15) who struggled with his timing. 

However Bangladesh received a setback when West Indies fast bowlers Sheldon Cottrell (2-38) and Oshane Thomas (1-43) varied their pace well to claim three wickets in the space of just 10 runs, leaving Bangladesh 120 for four.

It was the time when it seemed the match tilted towards West Indies. But Shakib stool tall to resist further collpase.

Aided by Mahmudullah Riyad who struck 43 off 21, sending the ball across the rope seven times, Shakib  added an undefeated 91 off 42 for the fifth wicket to ensure the rapid start provided by Liton wouldn’t be wasted. 

The captain then triggered a West Indian collapse when the visitors appeared to have the upper-hand of the match.

Fast bowler Abu Haider Rony broke through with the crucial wicket of opener Evin Lewis (1), preventing West Indies from the aggressive start. 

Fresh from the third fastest T20 half-century, Shai Hope kept West Indies on course but Shakib had Nicholas Pooran (14) caught by Tamim Iqbal with an arm-ball to force Hope go slowly.

Offspinner Mehidy Hasan gave Bangladesh a sigh of relief with the wicket of Hope (36), with West Indies at 62 for three in six overs. 

Rovman Powell and Shimron Hetmyer led a fight-back and just when they looked threatening, Shakib spun the match towards Bangladesh, dismissing Hetmyer (19), Darren Bravo (2) and Carlos Brathwaite (8) in two overs.