‘It was phenomenal’

Andre Russell bowled an immaculate final over to help West Indies pip Bangladesh in a low-scoring thriller by three runs for their first Super 12 win yesterday that kept their Twenty20 World Cup title defence alive.

Jason Holder said later in a post-match briefing that Russell's last ball, a prefect yorker, was the best and sweetest moment in the match for them. "It was phenomenal," he added.  

Both sides came into the contest with two defeats from as many matches and Bangladesh needed 13 in Russell's final over to chase down West Indies' 142-7 - which was built on Nicholas Pooran's 40 off 22 balls - on a low and slow wicket at Sharjah.

West Indies earlier promoted Chris Gayle to open the innings after dropping Lendl Simmons but their batting woes continued as the side were reduced to 32-3 after being put in to bat.

Captain Kieron Pollard also failed to get going and walked off retired hurt and on the next ball Russell was run out without facing a delivery.

The arrival of Pooran to the crease provided the spark that the West Indies innings required and the left-handed batter smashed spinners Shakib Al Hasan and Mahedi Hasan for two sixes each in his knock.

The 26-year-old provided the late flourish during a stand of 57 with Roston Chase, who made his T20 international debut for West Indies.

"We talk about batsmen taking responsibility and doing what's needed for the team. The batting hasn't clicked yet and we needed to put our hands up. I felt as a cricketer and a batsman I needed to put my hand up. We were missing Polly too. I have been working very very hard for the last couple of months, things just hadn't gone my way. I hadn't been doing myself justice, giving away my wicket. I'm always confident and positive about my attitude and skills," said player-of-the-match Pooran.

"Unfortunately, we didn't really take all our catches, but the belief was there. We backed our experience to close out the game. (Russell last over) He's a big player and executed for us," he added.