DHAKA, Bangladesh (CMC) — Skipper Darren Sammy produced an electrifying unbeaten cameo to propel West Indies to an exciting six-wicket win over Australia, and keep alive their hopes of a semi-final spot at the World Twenty20 Championship here yesterday.

The aggressive power-hitter finished on 34 not out from a mere 13 balls as the defending champions chased down a challenging 179 — their highest ever successful chase in T20s — to win with two balls to spare.

Sammy put on an invaluable 49 runs off 21 balls with One-Day captain Dwayne Bravo, whose 27 came from 12 deliveries, to pull the Caribbean side around from 130 for four in the 17th over.

Opener Chris Gayle had earlier given West Indies a flying start with a top score of 53 off 35 balls, posting an opening stand of 50 with Dwayne Smith (17), before adding a further 51 for the second wicket with Lendl Simmons who chipped in with 26 from 24 balls.

But with West Indies requiring 12 from the last over, Sammy twice cleared the ropes with seamer James Faulkner off the third and fourth deliveries, to deliver a breathtaking win and spark chaotic celebrations among teammates at the Shere Bangla Stadium.

Sammy, who counted two fours and three sixes, had set the stage for his heroics in the penultimate over when he launched a ferocious assault on left-armer Mitchell Starc in an over that cost 19 runs.

The victory, their second straight following their win over Bangladesh on Tuesday, lifted the Windies temporarily to the top of Group Two with four points. They face Pakistan in their final game next Tuesday.