BAN vs WI Review | Rishad Hossain’s all-round show helps Bangladesh crush Caribbean side by 74 runs in ODI series opener

West Indies skipper Shai Hope won the toss and asked Bangladesh to bat first. Bangladesh faced two quick blows, losing both openers, Saif Hassan (3) and Soumya Sarkar (4), at the team score of just eight runs in 2.1 overs. Then came a crucial partnership of 71 runs for the second wicket between Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy to rescue Bangladesh from a miserable situation. Khary Pierre broke this partnership on the first ball of the 23rd over, dismissing Shanto by trapping him in an LBW. Shanto scored 32 runs, with three fours, playing a crucial role in the partnership with Hridoy. Furthermore, Hridoy added another important partnership of 36 runs with Mahidul Islam Ankon for the fourth wicket. Hridoy played a much-needed half-century knock, scoring 51 runs, with three fours. His knock was followed by Islam Ankon’s 46 runs off 76 balls, with three fours. Later in the innings, Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s (17) and Rishad Hossain’s (26) contributions helped Bangladesh post 207 on the board, before getting bundled out in 49.4 overs. Jayden Seales was the leading wicket-taker for the Caribbean side, picking three wickets for 48 runs in his seven overs. He was accompanied by Roston Chase (2/30 in 10 overs) and Justin Greaves (2/32 in five overs). Besides this trio, Romario Shepherd and Khary Pierre also claimed a wicket each for their side in the first innings.

While chasing the target, the tourists had a decent opening start of 51 runs in 12 overs, by the opening pair of Brandon King and Alick Athanaze (27). Rishad Hossain gave a big breakthrough to the hosts by dismissing Athanaze on the last ball of the 12th over. Following his dismissal, the West Indies started losing wickets at regular intervals. King went on to score 44 runs off 60 balls, with five fours and a six. Apart from Athanaze and King, only Shai Hope (15) and Justin Greaves (12) were the only two batters to touch the double-digit mark as an individual score. Eventually, the visitors were bundled out at the score of just 133 runs in 39 overs. Rishad Hossain shone with the ball for his sensational bowling performance, claiming an outstanding five-wicket haul as he picked six wickets for just 35 runs in his nine overs. Besides him, Mustafizur Rahman picked two wickets for just 16 runs in five overs, alongside a wicket each bagged by Tanvir Islam and Saif Hassan. With this win, Bangladesh have also secured a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against the Caribbean side.

Rishad Hossain won the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his match-winning bowling performance (6/35) and an amazing batting cameo in the first innings to play a central role in his team’s 74-run win. Hossain scored 26 runs off just 13 balls, with one four and two sixes in the first innings to help his side post a 200+ total.