Brilliant Pollard masterminds West Indies recovery

kieronpollard

In the first of three one-day internationals between the two sides in the Caribbean, the hosts looked down and out when they fell to 34-5 chasing a victory target of 218 at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada.

Bangladesh had Anamul Haque's 109 to thank for their total, and it looked as though Bangladesh would claim their first ODI win of 2014 until Pollard combined with Denesh Ramdin (74) to turn the match around and put West Indies on their way to victory.

The triumph capped a tumultuous day for the hosts, who had seen head coach Ottis Gibson depart his role just a few hours before the start of the match, with team manager Richie Richardson replacing him on an interim basis.

Dwayne Bravo put the tourists into bat after winning the toss and Bangladesh put on 41 for the first wicket before the dangerous Tamim Iqbal was dismissed for 26 by Jason Holder (1-39 from nine overs).

From that point, Anamul lacked in support as wickets fell at regular intervals, although he did add 53 for the sixth wicket with Nasir Hossain, who made 26.

West Indies captain Bravo was the main reason for Bangladesh's toils, the all-rounder returning 4-32 from his seven overs to restrict the visitors.

West Indies' reply got off to a torrid start, with the usually destructive Chris Gayle dismissed for three from 18 balls by Mashrafe Mortaza (1-22 from eight).

With Darren Bravo, Kirk Edwards, Lendl Simmons and Dwayne Bravo combining for a total of 22 runs, the home side's hopes appeared in tatters.

However, Pollard and Ramdin had other ideas.

Coming together in the 14th over, the duo mixed patient strokeplay with some devastating boundary hitting.

After a partnership of 145 in a little more than 20 overs, Ramdin departed for a 76-ball 74, bowled by Sohag Gazi (1-46 off nine).

Pollard went three overs later, having clubbed five boundaries and six sixes in his 70-ball stay at the crease.

By that point, West Indies needed just 17 for victory, and Holder (22 not out) and Sunil Narine (3 not out) were able to secure a 1-0 series lead for the home side.

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