Bangladesh reaches tri-series final after cruising past WI again

West Indies for a second straight time to Bangladesh, when 247-9 was easily chased down by the Tigers.

Soumya Sarkar plays a shot on the leg side during his fifty-plus knock.

Bangladesh qualified for the tri-nations cricket final in Ireland after another cruising win over the West Indies on Monday.

The West Indies reached Friday’s final after beating the tournament host on Saturday for a second time. But it lost for a second straight time to Bangladesh, when 247-9 was easily chased down by the Tigers, who made 248-5 with 16 balls to spare.

AS IT HAPPENED

The match was won tamely after a wide delivery by Sheldon Cottrell, but it was an all-round effort by Bangladesh.

Without haste, opener Soumya Sarkar scored 54 and Mushfiqur Rahim 63, and they were well supported by Tamim Iqbal (21), Shakib Al Hasan (29), Mohammad Mithun (43), and Mahmudullah (30 not out).

Off-spinner Ashley Nurse was the pick of the bowlers with 3-53.

Bangladesh’s bowlers set up the easy chase after restricting the West Indies to another sub-par total.

Opener Shai Hope made 87 from 108 balls and was on track for a third century in four games until he tried to pull Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza and ended up being caught behind.

Hope’s stand of 100 with captain Jason Holder, who racked up 62 from 76, was the only partnership of substance for the West Indies. Both batsmen, however, were out within two overs of each other.

Pacers Mashrafe and Mustafizur Rahman shared seven wickets between them, but the Windies were tied down by the spinners, especially Shakib, who finished with figures of 10-1-27-1.

Bangladesh finishes the round-robin against Ireland on Wednesday, followed by the final on Friday, all on the same Malahide ground.