Bangladesh comfortably see off West Indies to secure first CWC Super League points

Playing their first international in nearly nine months, Bangladesh were a force against a West Indies side featuring six debutants, bundling out the visitors for 122 in just 32.2 overs, thanks to Shakib Al Hasan, who took an excellent 4/8 in his first international since September 2019.

The West Indies bowlers put up a fight to restrict Bangladesh in the chase, Akeal Hosein taking 3/26, but the home side managed to see through the chase in 33.5 overs at the Sher-E-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka.

Bangladesh opted to bowl and in just the second over, left-arm paceman Mustafizur Rahman had opener Sunil Ambris trapped in front for seven. Rahman soon had Joshua Da Silva dismissed for nine and West Indies were reduced to 24/2 within six overs.

Andre McCarthy and captain Jason Mohammed attempted to revive the innings, putting on 21 for the third wicket, but Bangladesh were relentless. Shakib, shortly after being brought into the attack, had McCarthy bowled for 12, after he missed an attempted sweep. Four overs later, the West Indies skipper became Shakib’s second wicket, foxed after he was drawn out of the crease and flummoxed by turn.

Nkrumah Bonner fell for a 4-ball duck, and the visitors were reduced to 56/5.

West Indies found some fight in Kyle Mayers and Rovman Powell. The duo helped bring out the visitors’ best phase in the match, when they put on 59 for the sixth wicket.

The partnership was much-needed and helped take the total past the 100 mark, but West Indies needed a lot more. Unfortunately for the visitors, Powell’s dismissal in the 30th over by Bangladesh debutant Hasan Mahmud triggered another slide.

West Indies lost their last five wickets for just seven runs, and Bangladesh needed just 123 runs for victory.

They ensured the target was achieved without much fuss. Liton Das and Tamim, the openers, put on a steady 47 for the opening wicket, and despite two quick wickets falling thereafter – Das and No.3 Najmul Hossain Shanto both fell to Akeal Hosein – Bangladesh couldn’t be stopped.

Tamim missed out on a half-century, falling six short, and Shakib managed just 19 before becoming Hosein’s third wicket. However, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah helped see through the chase without any further incident.

The second ODI will be played at the same venue on 22 January.