Bangladesh cruised to a six-wicket win against West Indies in the first One-Day International (ODI) at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence. In a reduced 41-over game, Bangladesh bowlers restricted West Indies to 149-9 on a slow surface, and the Tigers ended up victorious on 151-4 in 31.5 overs.
A Guyanese family enjoying the match on Sunday
Bangladesh lost Litton Das for one, but Tamim Iqbal and Najimul Hossain Shanto added 48 runs together for the second wicket. Iqbal, who looked solid as a rock, was run out for 33 from 25 balls, an innings that included four fours and one six.
Pooran is pumped after taking a wicket
Shanto, who also looked set for a half-century, was dismissed by the debutant Gudakesh Motie for 37. Motie, who displayed accuracy and variation on a familiar surface, forced Shanto into a loose shot at 98-3 in 19.3 overs. The West Indies seamers did not enjoy the surface; Captain Nicholas Pooran then introduced himself and he picked up Afif Hossain for nine. Pooran also bowled Nurul Hasan, but it was a no-ball. Mohammad Mahmudullah top-scored with 41 from 69 balls for Bangladesh.
Islam, Hasan Miraz rock West Indies
Early morning showers prevented the match from starting at 09:30h. As a result of wet spots on the ground, the match started at 11:45h and the overs were reduced to 41 overs per side. Motie was presented with his maiden ODI cap and Bangladesh won the toss and took the field.
Gudakesh Motie and Nicholas Pooran celebrate
West Indies leading ODI batsman Shai Hope was removed for a golden duck when left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman shattered his stumps. Shamarh Brooks, who is enjoying the ODI format in recent times, came and timed two sublime fours in consecutive balls. Bangladesh attacked from the inception with spin and the pitch offered assistance to the spinners.
Kyle Mayers, who looked tentative, was the second West Indies wicket to fall at 32-2 in 11.2 overs. He was bowled all ends up by the off-spinner, Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Brandon King, batting at number four, faced 31 balls and scored only eight runs. He was caught as he attempted to clear mid-off at 55-3 after 20.4 overs.
The next ball saw Brooks looking to go over the top and he was dismissed for a 66-ball 33, which included three fours. West Indies were in a spot of bother at 55-4. Rovman Powell had a brief stay at the crease, getting out leg-before for nine off Mehidy.
Shoriful Islam ended with four wickets
Bangladesh continued to control the middle overs, and they have shown why they have the best economy rate since the 2019 50-over World Cup, in the middle overs. Skipper Pooran came and reverse swept with confidence. He got the small gathering at Providence on their feet with his stroke-play, but he was living dangerously. He was given a life when he reviewed, but did not make the most of that, as Mehidy cleaned him up for 18.
Star batsman Shai Hope is cleaned up for a duck
Romario Shepherd entered with West Indies on 91-6 after 27.4 overs. Akeal Hosein was run out for three. Afterwards, Shepherd attempted to clear the ropes, as did Motie but that led to their downfall. Shepherd made 16 from 19 balls, striking two fours, but departed with the score on 110-8 after 33.1 overs. Motie, who was put down by the Bangladesh fielders, departed for seven, and West Indies slipped further downhill.
Guyanese fans turned out at Providence despite the rain
Anderson Phillip and Jayden Seales then added 39 vital runs for the last wicket. The duo, who scored career-best scores of 21 and 16 respectively, took advantage of the dropped catches. Phillip struck the lone six of the West Indies innings, and it came in the final over. West Indies ended on 149-9 in their allotted 41 overs. Shoriful Islam ended with 4-34 in eight overs, while Mehidy had 3-36 in nine overs.
The second ODI will bowl off on Wednesday, July 13 from 09:30h Eastern Caribbean time at Providence.
