Bangladesh have sealed a commanding 2–1 series victory over the West Indies after crushing the visitors by 179 runs in the decisive third ODI on Wednesday.
The hosts had begun the series with a comfortable 74-run win in the opening match, before the West Indies levelled the contest with a narrow one-run victory in a thrilling Super Over in the second game. However, in the series decider, Bangladesh’s spinners completely dismantled the Caribbean batting line-up, bowling them out for just 117 in pursuit of a target of 297.
The West Indies innings fell apart early, losing four wickets for just 46 runs. Nasum Ahmed claimed three of those scalps, while Tanvir Islam picked up one. Rishad Hossain then struck twice in a single over to tighten Bangladesh’s grip on the game, leaving the tourists with no way back.
Ackeem August top-scored for the West Indies with 18, while Justin Greaves, Alick Athanaze and Keacy Carty each made 15. For Bangladesh, Rishad and Nasum finished with three wickets apiece, supported by Tanvir Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who took two each. Their collective effort ensured Bangladesh wrapped up the series with a match to spare.
Earlier, captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz had won the toss and elected to bat first — a decision that paid immediate dividends. Openers Saif Hassan and Soumya Sarkar gave Bangladesh a superb start, putting on 176 for the first wicket. Despite losing momentum towards the end of the innings, the hosts posted an imposing total close to 300.
Playing with intent from the outset, Bangladesh reached 74 without loss after 10 overs. Soumya brought up his 14th ODI fifty off 48 balls, while Saif soon followed to complete his half-century as Bangladesh crossed 100 runs inside 16 overs.
The opening partnership was finally broken when Saif tried to clear long-on off Roston Chase, only to be caught by Justin Greaves. His 80 off 72 balls featured six fours and six elegant sixes. Soumya also missed out on a well-deserved century, dismissed for 91 off 86 balls (7 fours, 4 sixes, strike rate 105.81) after mistiming a big shot off Akeal Hosein.
Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy then added 50 runs for the fourth wicket, but Bangladesh couldn’t quite reach the 300-mark. Hridoy made 28 from 44 balls, while Nurul Hasan Sohan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz provided late impetus — Sohan striking a four and a six, and Miraz scoring 17 off 17 — to guide Bangladesh to 297.
