Ramnaresh Sarwan struck an unbeaten 91 to help the West Indies register an easy 99-run victory against Bangladesh in their Super Eights game in Barbados on Thursday.
A solid knock from Shivnarine Chanderpaul and a lively partnership between Sarwan and captain Brian Lara (33) helped the hosts a healthy 230 for 5 in their 50 overs, after a slow start and the loss of two early wickets.
The impressive Mashrafe Mortaza bowled Devon Smith for five with a beauty before new ball partner Syed Rasel trapped out-of-form Chris Gayle in front with just a single to his credit.
The run rate was reduced to a crawl as Shivnarine Chanderpaul (50 in 85 balls) and Marlon Samuels (31 in 66 balls) tried to rescue the innings. The 50 came in the 21st over as the left-arm spinning trio of Mohammad Rafique, Abdur Razzaq and Saqibul Hasan did not allow the batsmen any liberties.
The 47-run third wicket partnership was broken when Samuels edged Saqibul to wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim.
Sarwan, who is tipped as one of the favourites to take over the West Indian captaincy from Brian Lara after the World Cup, joined Chanderpaul at the crease and tried to break free.
He successfully hit the spinners over the top to increase the scoring rate and as a result, the second West Indian 50 came much quicker.
The Guyanese right-hander hit five fours and two sixes to guide his team to a total which its bowlers had no problems defending.
The Bangladesh batsmen caved in quite easily as they were bundled out for 131 in 43.5 overs.
Photograph: Getty Images
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