Cricket World Cup: Bangladesh break run-chase curse; crush West Indies' hopes

Bangladesh's Tamim Iqbal during the Cricket World Cup match between West Indies and Bangladesh. Photo / AP

Bangladesh have achieved the second highest run chase in Cricket World Cup history and pushed the West Indies close to elimination in a comfortable seven-wicket victory.

When the West Indies surged to post 321-8, they knew every team making 300-plus batting first had won in this World Cup. Eight times out of eight.

But Bangladesh treated the fact like fluff on a shirt, flicking it off, as they reached 322-3 to win with 51 balls to spare.

Shakib Al Hasan starred in the comeback with 124 not out, his second successive century in the tournament, and Liton Das added 94 not out in his World Cup debut. They combined for an unbeaten 189 in 22.3 overs.

Bangladesh's second precious win in five matches lifted them into the top half of the standings.

The deflated West Indies, however, dropped to one win in five, and have a hard road ahead against New Zealand, India, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan to reach the semifinals for the time in 23 years.

More to come...