Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh clinched the three-match One Day International (ODI) series after beating West Indies by eight wickets in the third and final ODI at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Chasing West Indies’ total of 198 for the loss of nine wickets in 50 overs, Bangladesh coasted home making 202 for the loss of two wickets when they had 69 balls to spare.
Bangladesh made a fine start with openers Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das put on together 45 runs in the opening stand before Liton (23) was caught at the mid-on by Roston Powell off Keemo Paul.
Then Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar salvaged their team contributing together 131 runs for the second wicket stand before Sarkar was bowled out by Paul when the Tigers’ total was 176 for the loss of two wickets.Tamim Iqbal remained unbeaten with 81. His 104-ball superb innings was laced with nine fours. It was Tamim Iqbal’s 44th ODI half -century.
Saumya notched up a marvellous 80. His 81-ball knock was decorated with five sixes and five fours. It was Soumya’s seventh ODI half-century.
After Soumya’s dismissal, Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim guided their team to reach the winning spot.
Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten with 16.
Paul got two wickets conceding 38 runs.
Earlier, Shai Hope was the only batsman of the tourists who resisted against the tight, controlled and superb bowling attack of Bangladesh bowlers.
Shai Hope remained unbeaten with 108. He hit nine fours and a sixer in his 131-ball innings.
Right-arm spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz played the key role to restrict the Caribbean’s innings to a meek total with a good support of Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Shakib Al Hasan and Mohammad Saifuddin.
Miraz captured four wickets at the cost of 29 runs, while Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Shakib Al Hasan bagged a pair of wickets each instead of 34 and 40 runs respectively.
Mohammad Saifuddin took one wicket for 38 runs.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz was adjudged the Man of the Match, while Shai Hope was adjudged the Player of the Series.
