West Indies found themselves in serious trouble as Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain turned the match on its head in the first ODI. After a steady start by the Caribbean openers, Rishad’s incisive leg-spin dismantled the middle and lower order, leaving the visitors reeling.
The game began cautiously for West Indies, with Brandon King and Alik Athanaz putting together a 50-run opening partnership in 67 balls. Both batsmen faced tight bowling from Taskin Ahmed and Tanvir Islam, who delivered two maiden overs to start the innings. Despite early control, the West Indies openers accelerated, scoring 28 runs in the next two overs, with King hitting a four and six and Athanaz responding with three boundaries and a six.
Rishad struck immediately in his first over, dismissing left-handed opener Alik Athanaz LBW. Athanaz’s review failed, ending the 51-run opening partnership. Soon after, Rishad removed Kasey Kartik, caught at slip by Saif Hassan, who held firm for a simple but crucial catch. Earlier, Kartik had survived a tough chance off Tanvir Islam, while King also escaped a close call in the 12th over when his foot slightly crossed the line off a spin delivery.
Rishad’s brilliance continued as he dismissed Roston Chase for just six runs off ten balls, caught by Nurul Hasan Sohan. By the 24th over, West Indies were 92 for five, with Shai Hope at the crease alongside Gudakesh Moti.
