Smith guides West Indies to 171 for seven

Opener Dwayne Smith smashed a quickfire 72 as West Indies produced an improved batting show, to post a challenging 171 for seven against hosts Bangladesh in a Group 2 Super 10 match of the ICC World T20 match here today.

Smith whirlwind knock came off just 43 balls that helped in consolidating the West Indies total which could have been much more had Chris Gayle been able to play his natural attacking game as he huffed and puffed en route his run-a-ball 48 that had three fours and two sixes.

Bangaldesh's inconsistent effort on the outfield also contributed to West Indies' cause.

One end, there was Tamim Iqbal, who took a few stunners, some of the other fielders conceded at least 15 runs at the ropes.

Seamer Al-Amin Hossain was the most successful Bangladeshi bowler grabbing three wickets for 21 while Zia-ur Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudallah Riyadh got a wicket each.

Al-Amin in fact bagged all his three scalps in the last over in which the Caribbeans lost four wickets scoring only four runs.

Gayle was again not in his element as his stay at the crease was an absolute struggle. Since his game is based on minimul footwork, he was finding it difficult to come to the pitch of the deliveries bowled by Bangladeshi spinners. In his first 30 runs, the only six he hit was a lofted shot over long-on.

His second six was the one that took him from 36 to 42 as he hit Shakib over long-on. But he was finally out for a run-a-ball 48 when he tried to hoist seamer Zia-ur Rahman over long-off but Tamim Iqbal took a well-judged catch at the ropes.