Windies players fail to spur Bengals

Monday, February 13, 2012

DHAKA, Bangladesh (CMC) — A half-century from Shivnarine Chanderpaul was the most notable performance from a West Indian in the Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 double-header yesterday.

The durable West Indies batsman, opening the batting, hit the top score of 59, but he was upstaged by an unbeaten 86 from Nasir Jamshed that carried the Chittagong Kings to a tense, six-wicket victory over the Khulna Royal Bengals at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium.

In the other match, Dhaka Gladiators, whose line up included Kieron Pollard, cruised to a seven-wicket victory over Sylhet Royals at the same venue.

Chanderpaul led the way with five fours and three sixes from 50 balls, as the Bengals, choosing to bat, posted a competitive 171 for three from their allocation of 20 overs.

The left-handed Chanderpaul put on 89 for the first wicket with former South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs before he fell in the 15th over.

Andre Russell joined fellow West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Smith and put on a valuable 52 for the third wicket before he was caught behind off Dwayne Bravo, another West Indies all-rounder, with two balls remaining.

Russell's 24 from 16 deliveries, included three fours and one six and Smith crunched three fours and two two sixes in 39 not out from 26 balls.

After Russell provided an early breakthrough for the Bengals, Jamshed put his head down and put on 88 for the second wicket with English import Jason Roy.

Three wickets, including the elder Bravo caught at extra cover for 12 driving too early at Shafiul Islam's slower delivery, caused a few tense moments in the Kings' camp, as they wobbled from 106 for one to 131 for four.

But Russell, Smith and the rest of the Bengals' bowling failed to make the breakthrough, as Jamshed and Faisal Hossain added 43 — unbroken — for the fifth wicket to usher the Kings over the finish line with five delivery remaining.

In the second match, Pollard proved his worth in the field, running out Bangladesh opener Imrul Kayes for 23, having Shuvgata Hom caught in the deep, and holding a catch to dismiss Naeem Islam, as the Royals were bowled out for 124 in 19.5 overs.

Pollard finished with one for 24 from three overs, but he was not required to bat, as the Gladiators reached their target with 10 deliveries remaining.

The results meant that the Kings remained unbeaten and moved into second place — behind the Barisal Burners — on four points, leaving the Royals third on two, the Gladiators fourth on two with an inferior net run rate, and the Royals at the bottom of the six-team table.

The Burners face the Bengals in today's opening match at the same venue, where the Kings face the Gladiators in the second contest.