Tigers win ODI series against West Indies

Sports Desk: Opener Tamim Iqbal scored another century and Bangladesh successfully defended 301 runs to beat the West Indies by 18 runs and win their one-day international series 2-1 on Saturday.

Tamim made 103 from 124 balls and Mahmudullah a lusty 67 off 49 balls as Bangladesh finished on an imposing 301-6.

After a good start by openers Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis, the West Indies run rate slowed in the middle overs. Despite a fillip by Rovman Powell of 74 off 41 balls, the home side still fell short on 283-6.

West Indies batsman Rovman Powell gave the Tigers a scare with his 74 off 41, but the visiting bowlers held on for a famous win.

Chasing 302, Caribbean openers Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis made a decent start, hitting 53 in the first 10 overs. However, the latter was not having his best day, managing just 13 in 33 balls. At the end of the game, this looked one of the reasons where the hosts lost the game.

One-down Shai Hope was also slow, but he kept the West Indians in the game after the fall of Gayle, who slammed six fours and five sixes in his 66-ball 73. Winning captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza claimed both the wickets of Lewis and Hope while Rubel Hossain removed Gayle.

In-form batsman Shimron Hetmyer was the hosts’ hope, but he too fell early making just 30 off 42 balls as Mehedi Hasan Miraz bowled him.

Powell then started his one-man show, firing 74 runs from 41 balls thanks to five fours and four sixes.

Despite that being a gigantic effort, it was not enough to overpower the Bangladesh bowlers. The hosts needed 40 from the last three overs, but Mustafizur Rahman and Rubel Hossain conceded only six runs each in the 48th and 49th overs to seal the win.

Powell needed 28 from the last over, something Mustafiz was never going to let happen. The pacer conceded just nine as Bangladesh roared to the victory.

Winning the toss, Bangladesh captain Mashrafe had opted to bat first. The openers made a slow start, getting 39 in the first wicket in 9.3 overs before West Indies captain Jason Holder removed Anamul, who made 10 in 31 balls.

Tamim and Shakib Al Hasan then added 81 in the second wicket to take Bangladesh forward. Shakib's 44-ball 37-run innings featured three fours.

Mushfiqur Rahim (12) was the next batsman out as Tamim continued his fine innings, which ended when he fell victim to Devendra Bishoo soon after his century. The opener's 124-ball effort was studded with seven fours and two sixes.

It was Tamim's second ton in three games, his 11th in the career. Today’s 103-run innings made him the highest run-making batsman from a visiting team in a three-match ODI series in the West Indies. The previous record was held by Australian batsman Darren Lehman who had made 205.

Captain Mashrafe then entered the fray, hammering 36 in 25 balls thanks to four fours and a six. It was his cameo and Mahmudullah's commendable innings that took the Tigers past 300.The latter was not out on 67, hitting five fours and three sixes in his 49-ball storm, as the Tigers ended on 301 for 6.

Holder and Ashley Nurse claimed two wickets each for the hosts while Sheldon Cottrell and Bishoo grabbed one apiece.

Tamim was in the end adjudged both the Man of the Match and the Man of the Series.
The ODI series win is a relief for the Tigers, who had lost the Test series badly. Up next is the T20 series, but they are certain to miss their ODI captain – the great Mashrafe Bin Mortaza.

risingbd/July 29, 2018/Mukul