AI Simulation, BAN vs WI ODIs | Rishad Hossain and Towhid Hridoy power Bangladesh to series win over West Indies

‌Pitch & Weather

A humid Dhaka afternoon welcomed both players to the Shere Bangla National Stadium with a typical sluggish, low-bounce surface on offer in Mirpur. The pitch took appreciable turn as the game progressed, with the spinners enjoying a bowling paradise, while the willow-wielders had yet another tough day at office. Though there was dew, it did not significantly impact the spinners as Rishad Hossain showed during the second innings.

Toss & Conditions

Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first.

Lineups

Bangladesh: Saif Hassan, Soumya Sarkar, Towhid Hridoy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Nurul Hasan (wk), Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.

West Indies: Alick Athanaze, Brandon King, Keacy Carty, Ackeem Auguste, Shai Hope (c & wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Khary Pierre.

Match Report

In a low-scoring contest at Mirpur, Bangladesh produced a spin masterclass to defend a modest 226, as they beat the West Indies by 34 runs in the final ODI to pocket the three-match series. Towhid Hridoy showed application with a fighting half-century while leg-spinner Rishad Hossain spun web around the visitors’ batters with an impressive spell of 4/29 in 10 overs.

Asked to bat first, Bangladesh’s start was tentative against disciplined bowling from the left-arm spin duo of Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie. Saif Hassan fell early, while Soumya Sarkar’s patient knock (31) gave the hosts some momentum. Though Sarkar departed after a good start, Towhid Hridoy and Najmul Hossain Shanto stitched together an 83-run partnership, to steady the ship after the early jitters. However, just when acceleration beckoned, Hosein struck twice in two overs, dismissing both set batters to peg back the innings. Hridoy had five boundaries in his knock of 58 from 87 balls while Shanto’s 39 came in 61 balls. However, the Tigers’ skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz, as in the previous game, held fort at one end with a useful knock of 34 as Bangladesh reached 226/8, a fighting total on a slow surface.

Chasing 227, West Indies began with promise through Alick Athanaze (25) and Brandon King, who added 53 runs for the first wicket. But once Tanvir Islam struck in the middle phase after his  introduction, the visitors’ chase unravelled. King also departed soon after showing promise during his 63-ball 42, which included five boundaries. Though Shai Hope anchored the innings admirably, he was running out of partners as Keacy Carty and Ackeem Auguste returned to the pavilion in short time. Bangladesh’s spinners strangled the middle overs with Rishad Hossain’s leg breaks proving unplayable. The leg-spinner’s wicket of Shai Hope spelled doom for the Windies as left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam complemented him perfectly. Tanvir picked up 3/39 while captain Mehidy had two wickets to his name. By the time Mustafizur cleaned up Motie, the crowd at Mirpur was roaring as the home side sealed the series with a clinical win. Once again, Hope was the lone warrior for the Caribbean outfit hitting four fours and a six in his 84-ball 64 as they were skittled out for 192 in the 48th over.

Player of the Match

Bangladesh’s Rishad Hossain was named Player of the Match for his match-winning spell of 4/29 in 10 overs that broke the back of the Windies chase with decisive strikes in the middle overs.

Scorecard