Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh recorded an easy five-wicket victory over West Indies in their first One Day International (ODI) match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur on Sunday.
Chasing the Caribbeans’ total of 195 for the loss of nine wickets in 50 overs, Bangladesh romped home in 35.1 overs making 196 for the loss of five wickets.
Bangladesh made a shaky start as they lost early two wickets for 42 runs.Then opener Liton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim repaired the damage contributing together 47 runs for the third wicket partnership before Liton Das was bowled out by Keemo Paul when Bangladesh’s score was 89 for the loss of three wickets.
Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten with 55. His 70-ball knock saw five fours. It was Mushfiq’s 31st ODI half century.
Liton Das hit a polished 41. His 57-ball innings was belted with five fours.
After Liton’s dismissal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan added together 57 runs in the fourth wicket stand before Shakib Al Hasan was caught behind by wicketkeeper Shai Hope off Rovman Powell when the team’s total was 146 for the loss of four wickets.
Shakib Al Hasan made 30 from 26 balls featuring four fours.
Then Soumya Sarkar (19) was caught at the slip by Rovman Powell off Roston Chase when Bangladesh’s score was 175 for the loss of five wickets.
Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad guided their team to reach the winning spot.
Riyad remained unbeaten with 14.
Chase got two wickets conceding 47 runs, while Rovman Powell, Oshane Thomas and Keemo Paul took one wicket apiece.
Earlier, Bangladesh bowlers dominated over the West Indies batsmen and restricted the islanders to a modest total.
Specially right-arm pacer Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman bowled extremely well.
Mashrafe and Mustafiz captured three wickets each instead of 30 and 35 runs respectively.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shakib Al Hasan and Rubel Hossain took one wicket for 30, 36 and 61 runs respectively.
Shai Hope, Keemo Paul and Roston Chase fought back against the tight and controlled bowling attack of Bangladesh bowlers scoring 43, 36 and 32 runs respectively.
Mashrafe Bin Mortaza was adjudged the Man of the Match for his superb bowling performance.
