Bangladesh sweep 3-match ODI series against West Indies  

As it was predicted, Bangladesh swept the three-match ODI series against West Indies with incredible ease after their senior batsmen came all guns blazing in the final and third ODI to help the side script a facile 120-run win over the visitors at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Monday.

The four stalwarts—skipper Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah Riyad and Mushfiqur Rahim hit half-centuries as Bangladesh compiled a hefty 297-6 after which the bowlers dismissed West Indies for 177 in 44.2 overs.

Bangladesh comprehensively won the first two matches by six wickets and seven wickets, bowling out West Indies for 122 and 148 runs respectively.

After West Indies captain Jason Mohammed decided to send the hosts in batting, Tamim laid the platform while Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah paced the innings towards the end—the trio struck an identical 64 runs.

Shakib in between made a patient 51, his first half-century after coming back to cricket following a two-year ban, one year of that suspended, imposed by ICC due to his failure to report corrupt approaches.

Bangladesh lost Liton Das for naught in the first over before Nazmul Hossain Shanto was trapped leg-before by Kyle Mayers for 20, leaving the side at 38-2 in ninth over.

To make the matter worse, the Caribbean fast bowlers—specially Alzarri Joseph and Raymon Reifer were excellent and varied their pace to curb the natural aggression of the Bangladeshi batsmen.

But the senior two batsmen—Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan–chose to strike balance between caution and aggression and thereby denied them making further inroads.

They steadied the ship with a 93-run partnership for the third wicket stand as well as kept Bangladesh in a position of dominance, frustrating the visiting bowlers.

Alzarri Joseph, who was so far bowling magnificently final got the reward as he broke the partnership, dismissing Tamim who cracked three fours and one six in 64 off 80.

Shakib was then outfoxed by pacer Raymon Reifer’s slower just after reaching his half-century. He hit three fours in his 81 ball-51.

Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim utilized the platform set by Shakib and Tamim well, by adding 72 off 58 for the fifth wicket. Their partnership not only kept the tourists at bay but also took the side closer to 300.

Mahmudullah’s 64 came off 43, studded with three fours and as many sixes while Mushfiqur Rahim played 55 balls for his 64, that included four fours and two sixes.

Joseph and Reifer took two wickets each, giving away 48 and 64 runs respectively.

Bangladesh bowlers bowled well in tandem to keep West Indies at bay from the very beginning.

Mustafizur Rahman denied West Indies a fluent start in its pursuit of a stiff chase as he broke through with the wicket of Kjorn Ottley before removing Sunil Ambris (13) for the third time in a row in the series.

Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Saifuddin then ripped through the middle order, reducing the visitors to 93-5.

Rovman Powell counter-attacked and hit 47 off 49 with two fours and as many sixes to be the team’s top-scorer but that only reduced the margin.

Pace bowler Saifuddin returned 3-51 while fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman and off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed two wickets each.

The two teams will play a two-match test series, starting on February 3.

Brief score:

Bangladesh 297-6 in 50 overs (Tamim Iqbal 64, Mushfiqur Rahim 64, Mahmudullah Riyad 64, Shakib Al Hasan 51, Nazmul Shanto 20; Alzarri Joseph 2-48, Reifer 2-64, Kyle Mayers 1-34)

West Indies 177 all out in 44.2 overs (Rovman Powell 47; Kjorn Ottley 31, Raymon Reifer 27, Jason Mohammed 17; Saifuddin 3-51, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 2-18, Mustafizur Rahman 2-24)

Result: Bangladesh wins by 120 runs.

Man of the Match: Mushfiqur Rahim.

Man of the Series: Shakib Al Hasan