Twitter Reactions: Hayley Matthews shines as West Indies prevail over Bangladesh in low-scoring thriller

West Indies beat the Bangladesh side in a roller coaster of a contest by four runs to post their third victory in the tournament. Chasing a target of 141 set by the West Indies, the Bangladesh Women were bowled out for 136.

Bangladesh lost their first wicket with just one run on the board, as Shamima Sultana was dismissed for a duck by Hayley Matthews. Sharmin Akhter and Fargana Hoque then put on a partnership of 29 runs for the second wicket. After the departure of Akhter, Hoque forged another vital stand of 30 runs with skipper Nigar Sultana.

But after the fall of Hoque with the scorecard reading 60, the Bangladesh side could not recover and lost wickets at regular intervals. And, when the game went down to the wire, the West Indies prevailed over their Bangladeshi counterparts in a thriller. Hayley Matthews was outstanding with the ball for the West Indies, and scalped four wickets in her 10-over spell, and gave away just 15 runs. Afy Fletcher and Stafanie Taylor also chipped in with three scalps each as well to peg back the opposition.

Shemaine Campbelle’s half-century propels West Indies to 140/9

Batting first, the West Indies lost wickets regularly. The ‘Women in Maroon’ were reduced to 70/7, and were in danger of getting bowled out below 100. None of the West Indian top-order batters could even cross the 20-run mark with the willow in hand.

However, Shemaine Campbelle stood up for her side. The right-handed batter scored a sedate 107-ball 53* and helped the West Indies to a total of 140/9 in their allotted 50 overs. Apart from Campbell, every other batter struggled to get going for the West Indies. With the ball, the likes of Salma Khatun and Nahida Akter scalped two wickets each. At the same time, Jahanara Alam, Rumana Ahmed, and Ritu Moni picked up one wicket apiece with the ball in hand.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the thrilling World Cup clash between Bangladesh and the West Indies

Another nail biter!! 😙 #CWC22 #BayOval pic.twitter.com/kdlmVvuins

— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) March 18, 2022

So near yet so far…Windies clinch this by just 4 runs. Defending a low total…winning in the 50th over. Heartbreaking and exhilarating at the same time. #CWC22

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 18, 2022

Ugh really feel for Bangladesh. What a fantastic match. #WWC22

— krtgrphr (@krtgrphr) March 18, 2022

Bangladesh could leap to as high as 4th if they chase down this pretty small total from the Windies quickly. Talk about a contest for 3rd and 4th! #wwc22

— Chris Cox (@CoxyJindas) March 18, 2022

From 29-0 in 8.3 overs to 60-5 in 30 overs, the Bangladesh Tigresses are flying over the moon as they make West Indies pay for their batting struggles. #BangladeshCricket #BANvWI #BANvsWI #WWC #WWC2022 #WWC22 pic.twitter.com/PQMHHWr2zq

— Arique (@arique_11) March 17, 2022

Mad scenes at the Women’s World Cup. More messed-up permutations in this tournament than in the second hour of Back to the Future 2 #wwc22

— Andrew Miller (@miller_cricket) March 17, 2022

What a thriller it was between them ❤#banwvswiw#WWC22

— Amit Priyank (@AmitPriyank22) March 18, 2022

Win or lose, the Bangladesh Women's cricket team do not make a dull game. What an effort. A bit more contribution from the top, some 20s converting to50s would have meant a lot. But what a game! Hats off ladies! #WWCC2022 #BANvWI

— 𝑁𝑎𝑓𝑒𝑒 (@reigningshadows) March 18, 2022