After getting shocked and awed in the first T20 match of the three-match series injured team tigers bounced back with vengeance riding on brilliant all round performance of sizzling Shakib Al Hasan. [Read also:সাকিব বন্দনায় মুখর টুইটার]

[caption id="attachment_111394" align="aligncenter" width="2542"] Mahmudullah Riyad and Shakib Al Hasan put on 91-run stand[/caption] Shakib's 5/20 and 26 balls unbeaten 42 leading from the front performance earned his team 36 runs victory in the second of the three matches T20 series. His unbeaten 91 runs 5^th wicket partnership with Mahmudullah (43*) led Bangladesh posting an impregnable score of 211/4 which was beyond the reach of even all guns blazing West Indies. Bangladesh was blown away by 8 wickets in the first T20 in Sylhet a few days back.  The series decider will be held on the same venue at SBNCS tomorrow. Liton Das 62 and Soumya Sarkar 32 were other major contributors. In the early winter of Bangladesh, heavy dew makes bowling in the evening a huge challenge. Bangladesh required posting a sizeable target to defend against a very powerful West Indies batting which crushed Bangladesh in only 10.5 overs few days back. Liton and Tamim were in punishing mode right from the onset. Tamim left early but Liton looked positively charged. Soumya was striking well. Unlike the first match Bangladesh did not dismantle by the pace and bounce of fiery Cottrell and Thomas . 68 runs were added in the strokeful second wicket partnership before Soumya fell to a blinder by Brathwaite off Cottrell. Another mini collapse was apprehended when Liton (62) and Mushfiq (1) followed in quick succession. But experienced Shakib and Mahmudullah held the fort counter attacking with passion. Their unbeaten 91 runs 5^th wicket partnership proved match winner as Shakib unleashed a superlative 5/20 brilliant bowling performance despite of dew interference. Bangladesh won by 36 runs.  The series now stands level. [caption id="attachment_111392" align="aligncenter" width="1494"] Liton raises his after reaching half-century mark[/caption] Perhaps the resurgence of Bangladesh perplexed West Indians as well. Liton showed the way, Shakib and Mahmudullah consolidated. Then Shakib displaying one of his best bowling performances taking 5 wickets for the first time piped the vistors to the post. Shakib now has taken 5 wickets in all formats –test, ODI and T20 which is a rare feat. Before Shakib, Elias Sunny and Mustafizur Rahman got five wickets in T20 International for Bangladesh. He also took 5 wickets in ODI once. But he took 5 wickets in test 18 times. Before Shakib only 7 players – Kuldeeb Yadab, Imran Tahir, Omar Gul, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ajanta Mendis, Lasith Malinga and Tim Southee had the honour of taking 5 wickets in all formats. Bangladesh innings of 211/4 is their second highest. It was powered by brilliant 62 by Liton studded with four fours and four sixes. He had a good ally in Soumya also blasting a brisk 32 runs in 22 deliveries. Mahmudullah at 6 is now shaping into the role of Michael Bevan these days. His quick fire unbeaten 43 was also instrumental in Bangladesh climbing to 211 /4. However, Bangladesh could not take full toll in the last two overs. [caption id="attachment_111397" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Shakib grabbed career-best 5 for 21 with the ball[/caption] However, even after all these it was not easy sailing Bangladesh. Power packed West Indies kept the target within site despite losing wickets at regular interval. Captain Rovman Powell was looking to snatch initiative being dropped twice by Shakib and Mustafiz. West Indies lost big guns Hope, Lewis, Pooran, Hetmyer, and Bravo by 11^th over with only 101 on board. Powell scored 50 off 34 balls with five fours and a six. He blasted Abu Hider for 20 in the 14th over. However, Shakib smartly used his own 4 overs grabbing 5 wickets to put peg in the back of the visitors. The bowling condition was not at all ideal. But Bangladesh having high scores as insurance won the match by 36 runs. . The series is now locked 1-1. But with the momentum back with Bangladesh it will be cracker of a match tomorrow. A win for Bangladesh would earn them series victory in all three formats Test, ODI and T20 International. This will be huge boost before Bangladesh closes its 2018 mission and prepares for a demanding 2019.

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