World class Bangladesh bowlers could orchestrate possible ODI series win

By Clifton Ross

As expected, the world class Bangladeshi bowling attack easily subdued the hapless Windies, and the tourists are now further faced with combating the Tigers’ ‘Big Four’.
Bowling was the highlight of this first encounter, as Bangladesh gained full marks for keeping the visitors contained, while the Windies’ woes continued on the tour with the possible newfound revelation that their bowlers were toyed with in the low-scoring day/night affair on Sunday morning.
In terms of bowling, the Tigers boast 4 of the top operators with the ball in limited overs and possibly Test cricket, all of whom came to the fore in a thumping win.
It was a one-sided affair at Dhaka primarily because Captain Mashrafe Mortaza, who bagged the MVP award, led from the front as he removed Shai Hope, Darren

Mashrafe Mortaza, Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib Al-Hasan could play huge roles for the remainder of the series

Bravo, and his opposite number — Rovman Powell — during his 10-over spell.
The veteran all-rounder’s use of the home conditions, as well as his control, was duly supported by the team’s frontline bowler: left-arm sensation Mustafizur Rahman, who also bagged 3 wickets at a low cost of 35 runs from his spell.
Windies were subjected to a 5-wicket loss, but with 89 balls in the tank, it was clear that the Tigers’ plan was to rattle out their opponents for cheap, before using their temperamental batting attack to feast on the low total.
The two main spinners: left-armer Shakib Al-Hasan, who made his ODI return, and the uncanny Mehedy Hasan Miraz, were also on point, and bagged a wicket each with economy rates hovering around 3 runs per over. Both spinners had caused the Windies havoc in the Test series, and are now seeming to be transitioning nicely into 50 Overs’ mode.
The most expensive Bangladeshi bowler was Rubel Hossain, who is the 5th bowler; he grabbed a wicket at a costly price of 61 runs from his 10 overs. Apart from Hossain going for more than 6 runs an over, the workhorses of the team did their job by ensuring the Windies were kept to a psychologically demeaning score of less than 200 runs; and they bagged 9 of the Windies’ 11 batsmen in the

Mehedy Hasan

process.
It was clear that knowledge of the conditions as well as the outright responsible bowling displayed by the Tigers were unmatched by the Windies.
The Windies’ approach to defending a low but possibly defendable target was reflected in the tally column, as part-time spinner Roston Chase emerged their most successful bowler with 2 for 47 from just 9 overs. Pacer Oshane Thomas and Guyanese all-rounder Keemo Paul, along with Powell, grabbed a wicket each for the seamers; with Thomas and Paul going for more than 6 and 4 runs respectively per over.
Windies pack leader Kemar Roach went wicket-less for 35 runs from merely 6 overs, while leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo had the winning runs scored off the first ball of his 7th over, as he returned figures of 30 runs without a wicket — capping off a dismal if not worrisome bowling effort by the Windies.
Bangladesh will definitely not be thinking of making any changes, especially to the bowling attack; given that Tuesday’s second ODI will be played at Dhaka, the same venue where they ran roughshod over the Caribbean boys.
Windies, on the other hand, have more to worry about. Their batters have been timid all tour, with the exception of Shimron Hetmyer and Shai Hope, who have been among the runs.
This loss has flung Powell directly into the proverbial pressure cooker. His captaincy is brand new, and his team is coming off a 2-nil Test loss coupled with the 1-nil lead in the ODIs; and there are just two games left before the T20s bowl off.
Having lost the last ODI series to the Tigers at home, the Windies ought to be keen on wrapping up 2018 with a possible drawn series, before shifting to the shortest format of the proverbial game of glorious uncertainties.