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25 overs Bangladesh 124 for 2 (Anamul 62*, Mushfiqur 48*) v West Indies
Mushfiqur Rahim didn't allow the bowlers to settle (file photo) © AFP
Bangladesh stuttered early, losing early wickets to the seamers, but as the conditions eased Mushfiqur Rahim and the rookie Anamul Haque put them in command, feasting on some wayward bowling from West Indies.
West Indies opted to bowl first in order to exploit whatever the pitch had to offer first thing in the morning for the seamers. They worked to a plan of setting the batsmen up with an atypical field set, pushing the midwicket back and bringing in fine leg. It turned out to be a smart move, producing the first two wickets. Tamim Iqbal couldn't resist pulling a short ball to Kieron Pollard to deep midwicket, before a twitchy Naeem Islam fended one to short fine leg.
West Indies were more disciplined in the first half an hour, cramping the batsmen for room and bowling a slightly shorter length to utilise the bounce on offer. Naeem slashed and missed three balls in succession against Ravi Rampaul before failing to negotiate a short one directed at his body.
West Indies could have had another wicket had Darren Sammy plucked a tough chance off his own bowling, when Mushfiqur was on 8. The moisture on the pitch had disappeared after the first half hour, handing the advantage to the batsmen, which Mushfiqur and Anamul relished. Half-volleys outside off were smashed past cover and one of the best shots in the morning was a wristy flick by Mushfiqur off Sammy that went for four.
Sunil Narine's fortunes on tour took a turn for the worse as the pair toyed with his bowling, which lacked the turn and bite he is normally associated with. Mushfiqur swept him for a six behind square and deftly cut one past short third man. Anamul improvised well against Narine, bringing up his maiden fifty with a late cut. With little seam movement on offer, Anamul was able to smash it through the line despite minimal footwork.
Mushfiqur Rahim didn't allow the bowlers to settle (file photo) © AFP
Bangladesh stuttered early, losing early wickets to the seamers, but as the conditions eased Mushfiqur Rahim and the rookie Anamul Haque put them in command, feasting on some wayward bowling from West Indies.
West Indies opted to bowl first in order to exploit whatever the pitch had to offer first thing in the morning for the seamers. They worked to a plan of setting the batsmen up with an atypical field set, pushing the midwicket back and bringing in fine leg. It turned out to be a smart move, producing the first two wickets. Tamim Iqbal couldn't resist pulling a short ball to Kieron Pollard to deep midwicket, before a twitchy Naeem Islam fended one to short fine leg.
West Indies were more disciplined in the first half an hour, cramping the batsmen for room and bowling a slightly shorter length to utilise the bounce on offer. Naeem slashed and missed three balls in succession against Ravi Rampaul before failing to negotiate a short one directed at his body.
West Indies could have had another wicket had Darren Sammy plucked a tough chance off his own bowling, when Mushfiqur was on 8. The moisture on the pitch had disappeared after the first half hour, handing the advantage to the batsmen, which Mushfiqur and Anamul relished. Half-volleys outside off were smashed past cover and one of the best shots in the morning was a wristy flick by Mushfiqur off Sammy that went for four.
Sunil Narine's fortunes on tour took a turn for the worse as the pair toyed with his bowling, which lacked the turn and bite he is normally associated with. Mushfiqur swept him for a six behind square and deftly cut one past short third man. Anamul improvised well against Narine, bringing up his maiden fifty with a late cut. With little seam movement on offer, Anamul was able to smash it through the line despite minimal footwork.
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