Debutant Amir Jangoo struck a brutal century as West Indies chased down Bangladesh’s 321-6 in emphatic fashion to script a four-wicket victory in the third and final ODI today at Warner Park in Basseterre, St Kitts.
The victory helped them sweep the three-match series for the first time against Bangladesh since 2014. West Indies won the first ODI by five wickets before securing seven-wicket victory in the second match to pick up their first series victory over Bangladesh, also since 2014.
In the last two series between the two sides, West Indies were whitewashed but now they were able to reverse it. On the way to the victory, the Caribbeans also broke a few records. This was third highest successful chase for West Indies and only their fourth successful chase of 300 plus total in ODI history. Also it was the highest successful chase at Warner Park in ODIs.
Jangoo smashed 83 ball-104 with six fours and four sixes to play a pivotal role in the stunning victory. His 132-run with Keacy Curty, who missed out the ton by five runs, changed the momentum before he combined for 91 runs with Gudakesh Motie for the unbeaten seventh wicket to steer the side home.
After posting 321-6, thanks to four batters getting half-century, Bangladesh looked to have a consolation victory by reducing West Indies to 31-3 in fifth over. The chance of a victory further bolstered when they removed Sherfane Rutherford, who hit a match-winning century in the first ODI, for 30 to leave West Indies reeling at 86-4.
Jangoo and Keacy Curty then turned the tide with Curty playing anchor role to help the Caribbean bounce back into the game. Curty smote 10 fours and two sixes for his 88 ball-95 before being dismissed by legspinner Rishad Hossain. A few overs later Rishad also got the better of Roston Chase for 12 as Bangladesh sniffed a victory again.
However the Bangladesh’s hope was completely dented by Jangoo and Motie whose attacking partnership sealed the deal with Motie fittingly signing off the game with a towering six. Motie was not out on 44 after hitting three fours and as many sixes from 31 balls.
A super batting performance earlier saw Bangladesh rack up a mammoth total but against a rampant West Indies side it became meager eventually.
Mahmudullah Riyad made team-best 63 ball-84 not out, an innings studded by seven fours and four sixes. The four sixes took his tally to 107, highest for a Bangladeshi batter in ODI history. By doing so, he also struck fifty plus knock in all three matches of the series and overall it was his fourth straight fifty.
Stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and opener Soumya Sarkar scored 73 runs each while Jaker Ali who put on a record-breaking 150 with Mahmudullah in an unbeaten sixth wicket stand was not out on 62.
But after being asked to bat first, Bangladesh made a start to forget with Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Liton Das, being out for duck to leave Bangladesh reeling to 9-2.
Resistance then came from Soumya and Miraz, who played two sedate knocks in an otherwise a good batting track to keep Bangladesh flowing. They added 136 runs for the third wicket before Gudakesh Motie broke through with the wicket of Somuya.
In his run-a-ball-innings, Soumya smote six fours and four sixes. Miraz soon followed him after being trapped run out. In the next over, Sherfane Rutherford removed Afif Hossain for 15 as West Indies looked to hit back.
But Jaker and Mahmudullah batted with caution and aggression to keep West Indies bowlers at bay.
After being watchful through some overs, they got the eye in and launched an attack on West Indies bowlers that left them in disarray. Courtesy to their assault, Bangladesh piled up 61 runs in the last overs.
Alzarri Joseph was the most successful bowler for West Indies with 2-43.
Comment :