Bangladesh thrash West Indies for biggest ODI win

KHULNA, Bangladesh,  (Reuters) – Opener Anamul Haque struck his maiden international century as Bangladesh crushed West Indies by 160 runs in the second one day international today to record their biggest win in the 50-over format.

Playing only his second one dayer, right-handed batsman Anamul smashed 120 off 145 balls to help Bangladesh post 292-6 before the hosts returned to skittle out West Indies for 132 in 31.1 overs for a comprehensive win that put them 2-0 up in the five-match series.

The victory at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium, Khulna bettered Bangladesh’s 146-run win against Scotland in Dhaka in 2006.

Anamul shared 174 runs with skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (79), a record for Bangladesh in third wicket, which lifted the hosts after West Indies had put them in and reduced to 21 for two inside seven overs.

The duo fell just one run short of Bangladesh’s highest ever ODI partnership set by Habibul Bashar and Rajin Saleh against Kenya in 2006 when Rahim was out after his 87-ball knock.

Anamul, the top scorer in the ICC Under-19 World Cup in August, had a nervous wait for his century that came off with a single off Ravi Rampaul in the 47th over of the innings.

The opener, who turns 20 on Dec. 16, took 23 balls to reach from 90 to 100 but compensated soon by hitting Andre Russell for two sixes and a four in consecutive balls in the next over.

Rampaul, pick of the West Indies bowlers with career-best figure of 5-49, eventually dismissed Anamul who hit 13 boundaries and two sixes in his 145-ball knock.

West Indies were under pressure right from the beginning as the first four overs produced only five runs despite the presence of limited over cricket’s one of the most destructive batsmen Chris Gayle (15).

Opener Lendl Simmons (9) fell to off-spinner Sohag Gazi (3-21) and the visitors’ problem compounded when Gayle was dismissed caught behind off paceman Mashrafe Mortaza.

Gazi struck another crucial blow by removing Marlon Samuels (16) before left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak (3-19) broke the back of the West Indies batting order.

Both the teams travel to Dhaka for the third match on Wednesday.