Bravo, Smith seal final berth for ‘A’ team
DHAKA, Bangladesh (CMC) — Left-handers Darren Bravo and Devon Smith stroked contrasting half-centuries to pilot West Indies ‘A’ to an uncomplicated six-wicket win over Bangladesh A on Wednesday, their fourth win on the trot in the Tri-Nation Limited Overs Series.
Chasing Bangladesh’s 203 made off 49.5 overs, West Indies ‘A’ overhauled their target in 37.1 overs to reach the final where they will clash with South Africa ‘A’ this weekend.
The stylish Bravo carved out a handsome, unbeaten 62 which underpinned the West Indies run chase, while Smith got the innings away to a flyer with a superb 63 from just 36 balls.
Earlier, Bangladesh had been undermined by fast bowlers Gavin Tonge (4-37) and Nelon Pascal (3-43) after they won the toss and chose to bat.
Faisal Hossain top scored with 93 to hold the innings together, while Marshall Ayub supported with 35.
They got early success when they claimed left-handed opener Omar Phillips cheaply for one with the score on 27 in the third over, but Smith and the attacking Kirk Edwards added 61 from 56 balls for the second wicket.
Smith smashed eight fours and two sixes in an innings that required just 36 balls, while Edwards hit six fours in scoring 45 from 52 balls.
When Smith was bowled by medium pacer Shamsur Rahman in the 12th over, Bravo joined Edwards to add another 42 to keep the Windies on course for victory.
Leg-spinner Noor Hossain claimed Edwards caught and bowled at 130 for three in the 20th over, but Bravo, who hit five fours off 84 balls, partnered with Chadwick Walton (26) in a 69-run, fourth-wicket stand to see the Windies home.
Bravo’s unbeaten knock came on the heels of his superb 107 not out against South Africa ‘A’ earlier in the week.
The right-armer Tonge had sent West Indies on their way when he grabbed two wickets in the third over as Bangladesh stumbled to 15-3 at the end of the fourth.
Faisal, who hit six fours and two sixes, then held the innings together with three key partnerships. He shared 59 with Ayub for the fourth wicket, 41 for the fifth wicket with Dhiman Ghosh (22) and another 38 for the sixth wicket with Mashrafe Mortaza (9).
