Russell's sparkling farewell in vain as Australia sprint to T20 win

Kinston, July 24: Andre Russell struck a sparkling 36 off 15 balls in his final innings before retirement on Tuesday but could not save the West Indies from losing the second Twenty20 international against Australia in Kingston.

The 37-year-old all-rounder was unable to script a fairytale farewell to his glittering T20 career, but departed to a standing ovation on his home Sabina Park ground after hitting four trademark sixes and two fours.

Batting at number seven in his 85th and last T20 international, Russell's cameo, plus a late flurry from Gudakesh Motie (18 off nine balls) added to 51 from opener Brandon King enabled the hosts to score 172-8 off their 20 overs.

But a record 131-run stand by Josh Inglis, who made 78 not out, and Cameron Green (56 not out) saw Australia race to an eight-wicket win with more than four overs to spare.

It was Australia's highest third-wicket partnership in Twenty20 internationals and, aided by six dropped catches by West Indies fielders, gave the visitors a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Inglis hit seven fours and five sixes while Green was barely more sedate, clearing the ropes four times and stroking three fours in his second consecutive fifty.

"I didn't want to finish on a losing note," said Russell, whose spectacular final knock had briefly thrilled his hometown crowd.

"I enjoy seeing the ball go over the ropes," he added.

"As a kid you dream about playing here. Thanks to all the fans who came out to support me."

Russell, who was given a guard of honour before the match by both teams, played just one Test match.

It was as a Twenty20 specialist that he made his name, winning the T20 World Cup twice with the West Indies in 2012 and 2016.

A more than lively seam bowler, Russell's free-scoring late-order batting and athletic fielding saw him sought after by T20 leagues around the world.

He has been with Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL since 2014, scoring more than 2,400 runs.

Bangladesh clinch a T20 series  

Jaker Ali struck a fighting half-century as Bangladesh clinched a T20 series victory over Pakistan for the first time with Tuesday's eight-run win.

Jaker anchored the innings with sustained aggression to hit 55 runs off 48 balls with five sixes, helping Bangladesh recover from a shaky start to post 133 before being all out on a sluggish wicket.

Chasing 134, Pakistan's top six batters were out for single digits before Faheem Ashraf waged a lone battle.

He raised his maiden 50 but was out in the next delivery with his 32 ball-51, leaving his team 13 runs away from a series-leveling victory in the last over.

Ahmed Daniyal (17) hit a four in the first ball of the last over to give Pakistan another glimmer of hope before holing out to mid-wicket on the next ball off Mustafizur Rahman as Pakistan was bowled out for 125 in 19.2 overs.

Bangladesh won the first match of the series by seven wickets.

A pre-match minute's silence was held with both teams and officials wearing black armbands for victims of a plane crash in the Bangladesh capital Monday.

Asked to bat first, Bangladesh slumped to 25-4 with debutant Ahmed Danyal (2-23) and Salman Mirza (2-17), playing his second match tormenting the opponents with tight line and length.

Jaker resisted with the support from Mahedi Hasan as the duo added 53 runs for the fifth wicket, giving Bangladesh a platform.

Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz broke the partnership with the wicket of Mahedi who hit 33 off 25, leaving Bangladesh at 81-5 at 14th over.

Jaker then guided the lower order astutely and raised his third fifty from 46 balls, lofting Abbas Afridi for a six over long-on region.

He was dismissed in the last ball of the innings, top-edging a slower delivery of Afridi who ended with 2-37.

Pacers Shoriful Islam (3-17), Tanzim Hasan (2-23) and offspinner Mahedi Hasan (2-25) kept Pakistan at bay, putting a disciplined bowling.

But Pakistan batters played rash shots, much like the first T20 and found them in precarious 30-6 in 10th over with all six batters being out for single digits.

Fahim Ashraf stood tall against a spirited Bangladesh attack, raising the prospect of an unlikely victory with Khushdil Shah (13) and Abbas Afridi (19) giving him little support.

He brought up his maiden fifty from 31 deliveries, hoicking legspinner Rishad Hossain over long on for a six.

However Rishad (1-42) took the sweet revenge in the next delivery by crashing his stump as Pakistan's chance to win the game was dented.

The third and final match is on Thursday. (AFP)