WI vs ENG: Saqib Mahmood conceeds 28 runs in final over as Akeal Hosein goes berserk in 2nd T20I

Akeal Hosein was at his all-round best during the second T20I between West Indies and England at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. After bowling a stupendous spell, the dasher put up a batting exhibition and added spice in what seemed a one-sided game. In a chase of 171, the left-handed batter came out to bat when the hosts were reeling at 67/7. With the required run-rate going upwards constantly, England’s win looked like a mere formality.

However, Hosein joined forces with Romario Shepherd and the duo sent some tension in the English camp. Notably, the hosts needed 30 runs to win off the last over and Saqib Mahmood was to operate with the ball. Although Hosein couldn’t take his side over the line, he gave West Indies a great chance. Mahmood conceded as many as 28 runs in the over as England managed a narrow one-run win.

Akeal Hosein added spice in what seemed a one-sided game

Speaking of how the final over unfolded, the first ball was a wide and a dot delivery followed up next. Hosein then played a couple of fine shots towards and gathered boundaries in the next two deliveries. The pressure was on Mahmood as he fired yet another wide delivery.

Needing 20 off the last three balls, Mahmood needed just three legal deliveries to take England over the line. Although he managed to do so, Hosein didn’t miss out on smashing three successive sixes to minimize the margin of defeat. The visitors, hence, clinched the contest by one run. Hosein ended up scoring an unbeaten 44 off mere 16 deliveries.

He was visibly dejected with the result not going West Indies’ favour. However, his efforts earned massive praises from the cricketing world. Caribbean skipper Kieron Pollard also lauded the southpaw’s all-round efforts.

“If you lose early wickets, you tend to struggle. But the way the guys fought at the end, tremendous. Akeal batted really well at the end, spare a word for Shepherd. He’s really taken some responsibility. It has (being unable to negate spinners) but we will find a way. We will have games like this but the guys will get through,” Pollard said in the post-match conversation.