BASSETERRE, Saint Kitts and Nevis — In a remarkable feat, the West Indies clinched a One Day International (ODI) series victory against Bangladesh, marking their first such triumph in 10 years. The match concluded on Tuesday with the West Indies successfully chasing down Bangladesh’s total of 227 runs, securing their win at 230-3 in just 37 overs.
Having already secured the series win with a game remaining, captain Shai Hope expressed his pride in the bowlers’ performance, exclaiming, “It’s great to see the bowlers bounce back the way they did. Gotta tick boxes and keep improving. We were clinical. We’ve been struggling to win series at home (so) hope to finish 3-0 now.”
On the same pitch where they had prevailed over Bangladesh by five wickets a few days prior, the expected par score of 300 was eclipsed by the West Indies’ solid bowling attack. Fast bowler Jayden Seales played a pivotal role, capturing three wickets during the initial powerplay. His impressive spell culminated in a total of 4-22 from nine overs, including a key wicket when he dismissed Mahmudullah, who scored 62 runs.
The innings pursuit by the West Indies turned out to be relatively straightforward. Openers Brandon King and Evin Lewis formed a formidable partnership, putting together 109 runs in just 21 overs. King led the charge with a commendable 82 runs, with both Lewis and Keacy Carty falling just short of half-centuries.
Bangladesh found themselves in a difficult position at 115-7 by the 26th over. However, the partnership between Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Mahmudullah brought some stability to the innings, allowing them to aim for a more respectable total of 270-280. Mahmudullah achieved a fifty from 84 balls, while Tanzim was approaching his own half-century before being caught and bowled by off-spinner Roston Chase, finishing with 45 runs off 62 balls. Their partnership added 92 runs from 106 deliveries, a brief but crucial recovery.
Shortly after Mahmudullah’s dismissal in the next over, which came at a total of 62 runs from 92 balls, the West Indies began their chase. While Lewis took a bit longer to find his rhythm compared to King, who enjoyed a flurry of boundaries, Lewis benefitted from a life when dropped on 28 runs.
During their innings, King demonstrated an aggressive batting style, reaching his fifty off 52 balls, while Lewis eventually succumbed for 49 runs after a soft caught and bowled opportunity. King’s most notable moment was an impressive six, sending a delivery from Tanzim soaring over the medium-pacer’s head and off the roof.
King eventually fell victim to a yorker from Nahid Rana, ending with an impressive score of 82 runs from 76 balls, which included eight fours and three sixes. He had formed an effective partnership of 66 runs with Carty, who later fell for 45 runs with just 31 runs needed for victory. The two teams will remain in Basseterre for the final ODI scheduled on Thursday.
