BASSETERRE, Saint Kitts and Nevis — In an exciting first one-day international match on Sunday, Sherfane Rutherford led the West Indies to victory over Bangladesh with an impressive score of 113 runs off 80 balls, resulting in a five-wicket win with 14 balls remaining.

Rutherford’s remarkable innings featured eight sixes and seven fours, and he was eventually dismissed by Nahid Rana off Soumya Sarkar in the 47th over when the team only needed seven runs to clinch the game, wrapping up their innings at 295-5.

Bangladesh, having won the toss, opted to bat first and managed to compile a competitive total of 294-6 over their 50 overs. The team’s captain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, was the standout performer, accumulating 74 runs from 101 balls. Opener Tanzid Hasan also contributed significantly with a brisk 60 runs off 60 balls, which included three sixes and six fours.

Mahmudullah added to the scoreboard with a solid performance, scoring 50 not out from 44 balls, while Jaker Ali chipped in with 48 runs off 40 balls, both hitting three sixes during their innings. Ali was dismissed by fast bowler Romario Shepherd, who took three wickets for 51 runs in his allocated 10 overs, on the second to last ball of the innings.

When the West Indies began their chase, they found themselves at 100-3 after 23 overs. Captain Shai Hope played a pivotal role with an innings of 86 runs from 88 balls, including four sixes, before he was dismissed by Mehidy at a score of 193-4 in the 37th over. However, Rutherford’s stellar performance and support from Justin Greaves, who was not out at 41 runs off 31 deliveries, ensured that the team completed the chase successfully.

Throughout the match, five different Bangladesh bowlers contributed to taking wickets, but their efforts fell short. The two teams are set to clash again at the same venue for the second of three ODIs, followed by a potentially critical third match on Tuesday and Thursday. Notably, Bangladesh entered this series after recently achieving a victory in a test match in the Caribbean, marking their first win on West Indian soil in 15 years.