West Indies survive last-gasp USA scare in one-wicket Over-60 thriller

The West Indies came within inches of a stunning collapse before producing the composure required to escape with a dramatic one-wicket victory over the United States in the International Masters Cricket Over-60, 45-over World Cup on Friday.

Chasing 169 for victory, the West Indies appeared firmly in control at 70 for two after 20 overs.

By the 39th over, however, the outlook had changed completely.

The Caribbean side had slumped to 134 for eight, leaving the USA tantalizingly close to completing an upset.

Instead, a determined lower-order fightback carried the West Indies to 169 for nine after 44.1 overs, securing victory by the narrowest possible margin.

Ananta rebuilds a faltering USA innings

The USA had earlier been forced to recover from their own difficult passage.

After electing to bat, the Americans found themselves in serious trouble at 89 for five in the 26th over.

Parak Ananta then produced the innings' defining contribution, remaining unbeaten on 53 from 58 deliveries to stabilize the innings and steer his team toward a competitive total.

He received useful support from opener Mahmood Shahid, who made 29 from as many balls, while Chandrakant Barlingay occupied the crease patiently for 54 deliveries to score 25.

Ananta's unbeaten half-century ultimately proved crucial, giving the USA 168 for nine from their allotted 45 overs.

West Indies strike regularly

The West Indies attack had done much of the work required to keep the USA within reach.

Zamin Amim led the bowling effort with three wickets for 27 runs, while Deonarine Deyal claimed two for 21.

Their combined efforts ensured that the USA never established the kind of sustained scoring momentum that could have taken the game beyond the West Indies' reach.

Still, 168 was enough to create the possibility of a tense chase.

West Indies start with control

The Windies' response began positively.

Contributions from the top order moved them to 70 for two by the 20th over, leaving the Caribbean veterans well placed to complete the chase.

But the USA refused to surrender.

David Martil and Ahmed Merchant suddenly transformed the contest, ripping through the West Indies middle and lower order.

Martil finished with three wickets for 18 runs, while Merchant took three for 31.

Their combined spell triggered a dramatic collapse that reduced the West Indies to 134 for eight in the 39th over.

From a position of comfort, the Windies were suddenly fighting simply to survive.

Bidhesi keeps the chase alive

With the required runs still within reach but wickets running out, Narine Bidhesi assumed responsibility for keeping the innings together.

His 56 from 85 balls proved to be the crucial bridge between the struggling middle order and the final pair.

Bidhesi's measured innings kept the West Indies within striking distance and ensured the USA would have to finish the job rather than simply wait for the collapse to complete itself.

Even after Bidhesi's departure, however, the West Indies still needed contributions from the last two batsmen.

Linton and Dilraj deliver under pressure

Steve Linton and Rajendra Dilraj supplied exactly what was required.

Linton remained unbeaten on 18, while Dilraj contributed an unbeaten 13 as the pair negotiated the final stretch and guided the West Indies to 169 for nine after 44.1 overs.

With no margin for error, the last-wicket combination completed a remarkable recovery and secured a one-wicket victory.

The result was a testament to the resilience of a side that had twice been forced to rebuild, first after restricting the USA's recovery and then after suffering a collapse of its own.

A thriller that refused to follow the script

The contest swung repeatedly.

The USA went from 89 for five to 168 for nine through Ananta's unbeaten half-century.

The West Indies moved smoothly to 70 for two, only to plunge to 134 for eight.

Then Bidhesi, Linton and Dilraj turned what looked like a likely American victory into a Caribbean escape.

In a match defined by momentum shifts, the West Indies ultimately held their nerve when it mattered most.

They needed 169.

They reached 169.

And they did so with only one wicket left, the perfect finish to an Over-60 World Cup thriller in Canada.