Hetmyer, just 21, was playing his 11th ODI. This was his second century in the format – the first came against UAE in March at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018.

All this while, Hetmyer’s real claim to prominence was in leading the Windies Under 19 side to the ICC Under 19 World Cup in 2016. That is slowly changing, with the youngster gradually making himself integral to the senior side.

At Providence on Thursday, 26 July, Hetmyer scored a 93-ball 125. The knock comprised 10 boundaries; seven of those were sixes. More importantly, it steadied the Windies innings after their openers failed to convert starts, and propped up the total.

Given the Windies eventually won by just three runs, it was a vital knock. Hetmyer wasn’t getting carried away, though. “I want to take one step one at a time and see how it goes in St Kitts,” he said afterwards.

Hetmyer had the added joy of playing his most impressive knock yet for the Windies in front of his family. “Yeah, the home crowd helped. It was a push for me to have my family and girlfriend here,” he said. “They all support me hand in hand. So, thanks to them.”

Apart from Hetmyer, Jason Holder, the Windies captain, played a big role in the victory. With Bangladesh needing just eight runs off the final over, and the settled Mushfiqur Rahim on strike, Holder conceded just four runs and claimed the crucial wicket of Rahim (68).

He later admitted it was “nerve-racking” to bowl the final over. “I had the mental support of the team and I came through,” said Holder. “I talk to myself, it doesn't matter how we started, it matters how we finish.

“They got off to a really good start, and both the bowlers, me and Alzarri (Joseph) were slipping and sliding. It was hard. But credit to the way we fought back. Devendra (Bishoo) and (Ashley) Nurse were good. Keemo Paul was excellent too. Hetmyer is a great talent, he plays spin quite well too, and hope he can continue this way in the future.”

For Bangladesh, it was another bitter pill to swallow in a series full of them. They conceded the Tests 2-0, and though they fought back in the first ODI with a 48-run win, they now face the possibility of losing the ODI series as well.

Mashrafe Mortaza, the captain, admitted their disappointment was greater, given the position of command they were in. "It was disappointing to lose such a game when you need 14 runs in 13 balls with six wickets in hand,” he said. “It is more disappointing because it is not the first time we have lost a game from such a position as it has happened on quite a few occasions.

“I am not sure whether it is mental or technical because it is tough to describe it. If we required 20 runs from 12 balls then it is a different thing but when you need 14 runs from 13 balls and fail to do so, it is hard to decide whether it is technical or mental.

"Honestly speaking, we are making the same mistake and I think we should have handled our nerves in a relaxed manner and ended the game with singles and twos.”

The third ODI will be played in Basseterre on Saturday.