JAIPUR : The pre-match apprehensions and observations came true at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium where Bangladesh suffered yet another defeat in a lop-sided game against the West Indies, which registered its second win in as many matches to qualify for the main draw.

Young Aftab Ahmed may like to remember this forgettable match even though the match remained a mediocre contest right through. His seventh half-century in 41 matches was not his best as Bangladesh lost by ten wickets, but then it was an admirable effort considering the utter lack of application by the rest.

There was no devil in the pitch and the West Indies bowling itself appeared ordinary when Aftab was belting the ball with consummate ease.

Getting to 162 was never going to test West Indies' batting potential. Chris Gayle toyed with the attack in his customary style, smashing the ball to slam his 13th ODI century in 145 matches. Gayle looked in a hurry initially but settled down to some valuable practice in the company of Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Gayle's 104 came off 118 balls with 11 fours and three sixes while Chanderpaul compiled his 52 off 104 balls with six fours.

Among the audience in the afternoon was Salim Durani, who once batted as regally as any other contemporary strokeplayer, but sadly he did not stay back to watch Gayle's entertaining effort. Durani reportedly left the venue for he had not been offered a proper seat.

Misplaced remarks

"The team has improved with every match" and "the team is looking more competitive" remarks on Tuesday from the Bangladesh management looked misplaced as men entrusted the task to put up a fight came a cropper. "Bangladesh has been fatigued by persistent retreating," remarked Navjot Singh Sidhu, obviously not convinced about the team's place among the elite.

The move to promote Mohammad Ashraful as opener failed to work again when he succumbed to an unwise pull. "He is relishing his role against the new ball," coach Dav Whatmore had remarked on the eve of the match. Ashraful did not stay long enough to justify his coach's faith in him.

After the early loss of Ashraful, the Bangladesh innings was put on a healthy course through a partnership of 85 runs between Aftab and Shahriar Nafees. Hailing from the port town of Chittagong, Aftab is known for hitting the ball hard, and is popular for his penchant to hit sixes.Aftab cracked a 55-ball 59 that contained seven fours and a six before he checked his drive that ended at long on. Nafees had earlier departed for a neat 38 off 68 balls with five fours.

Bangladesh now suffered a collapse with Saqibul Hasan `playing on' and Habibul Bashar beaten for pace first ball to put Corey Collymore on a hat-trick. Bangladesh batting lacked the depth to stand up and caved in for a meek total that was never going to threaten West Indies.

The energetic Dwayne Bravo made his mark with a three-wicket haul, one coming off a spectacular catch when he broke his follow through and bent low to pouch the ball. Marlon Samuels and Chris Gayle came up with spells that should give Lara encouraging options for the forthcoming matches.

Scoreboard

Bangladesh: S. Nafees c Gayle b Samuels 38, M. Ashraful lbw b Taylor 2, A. Ahmed c Chanderpaul b Samuels 59, S. Hasan b Collymore 0, H. Bashar lbw b Collymore 0, F. Reza b Bravo 7, K. Mashud (not out) 22, M. Rafique lbw b Gayle 7, M. Bin Mortaza c & b Bravo 7, A. Razzak c Baugh b Bravo 9, S. Rasel c Samuels b Taylor 3; Extras: (b-1, lb-1, w-5) 7; Total (in 46.3 overs) 161

Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-95, 3-96, 4-96, 5-107, 6-111, 7-125, 8-132, 9-151.

West Indies bowling: Taylor 5.3-0-32-2, Bradshaw 7-1-25-0, Collymore 8-0-36-2, Samuels 8-0-27-2, Bravo 10-1-14-3, Gayle 8-0-25-1.

West Indies: C. Gayle (not out) 104, S. Chanderpaul (not out) 52; Extras (lb-2, nb-2, w-4) 8; Total: (for no loss in 36.4 overs) 164.

Bangladesh bowling: Mortaza 7-2-25-0, Rasel 5-1-26-0, Razzak 9.4-0-30-0, Rafique 8-0-41-0, Hasan 5-0-12-0, Reza 1-0-16-0, Ahmed 1-0-12-0.

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