Bangladesh at No.2 in CWC Super League with series win over West Indies

Scorecard

Bangladesh continued their dominance over West Indies as they excelled with both bat and ball to win the final ODI by 120 runs on Monday, 25 January.

With three wins in three ODIs over West Indies, Bangladesh have claimed 30 crucial points and are only behind Australia (40 points) in the CWC Super League.

The hosts had set West Indies an imposing target of 298, courtesy of half-centuries from their experienced batsmen – skipper Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah.

West Indies, who were without a host of experienced players, struggled to put up runs on the scoreboard in the first two ODIs batting first. Once again, this time in a chase, they struggled in the batting department.

They lost their openers to Mustafizur Raham inside the first six overs. Kjorn Ottley was the first one to fall, edging an outside off delivery into the 'keeper's gloves while the paceman had Sunil Ambris LBW for 13.

Nkrumah Bonner provided some resistance but West Indies kept on losing wickets from the other end. Bonner was eventually clean bowled by Mohammad Saifuddin for 31 after facing 66 balls.

In the last 10 overs, West Indies needed 144 runs to win but it became an impossible task when they lost their set batsman Rovman Powell, who was the only batsman to have come close to scoring a fifty as the rest of their line-up plummeted. Powell top-scored for West Indies with a fighting 49-ball 47, before he was sent back to the pavilion in the 41st over by Soumya Sarkar, which left the visitors stuttering at 155/7.

West Indies were eventually bowled out in the 45th over for 177. None of the West Indies batsmen managed to score a fifty in this three-match ODI series.

Saifuddin was Bangladesh's pick of the bowlers with returns of 3/51.

Earlier, being put into bat first, Bangladesh lost Liton Das in the first over of the innings, and it was the third time he was dismissed in the series under 25. The hosts also lost Najmul Hossain Shanto inside the first nine overs, with Kyle Mayers trapping him in front for 20.

However, Iqbal continued his good form along with Shakib, as they duo steadied the proceedings, stitching a solid 93-run partnership. The Bangladesh skipper contributed with 64 runs from 80 balls before he was caught by Akeal Hosein off Alzarri Joseph while Shakib made 51.

Their experienced batsmen Rahim and Mamudullah also contributed with 64 runs each. The latter provided the late flourish, as he remained unbeaten on 64 from 43 balls as Bangladesh posted 297/6 – their highest ODI innings total at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. (https://stats.espncricinfo.com/bangladesh/engine/records/team/highest_innings_totals.html?class=2;id=1931;type=ground)

The two sides will next play a two-match Test series, which will form a part of the ICC World Test Championship, in February.