PROVIDENCE: A record double-century partnership between Tamim Iqbal and Shakib al Hasan paved the way as Bangladesh bounced back from their Test series drubbing with a 48-run win over West Indies in their opening one-day international on Sunday.
Man-of-the-Match Tamim blasted an unbeaten 130, the highest by a Bangladeshi in ODIs against the West Indies, while Shakib weighed in with 97 a second-wicket partnership of 207.
Captain Mashrafe Mortaza then led the way with the ball in taking four for 37 as the hosts were limited to 231 for nine in reply. “It was important for us to make a strong statement here after the way we played in the Tests,” Mashrafe said after the victory at Guyana’s National Stadium.
“This ground has been a happy one for us over the years and we are looking now to clinch the series in the next match on Wednesday.” West Indies were on course to seriously challenge the target with Chris Gayle and Shimron Hetmyer at the crease.
However when Gayle was run out for 40 and Hetmyer fell to Mustafizur Rahman for a topscore of 52 the innings went into freefall and an entertaining unbroken last-wicket stand of 59 between Devendra Bishoo and Alzarri Joseph merely delayed the inevitable.
Smarting from the annihilation endured over the two Tests, both of which ended inside three days, Bangladesh immediately found the less challenging circumstances of ODI cricket more to their liking. “For those of us who were involved in the Test series it mattered to us to come out here fighting and I am glad we did that,” Tamim said. Mushfiqur Rahim also belted 30 off just 11 deliveries and made a significant difference to his side’s innings in the final overs. (AFP)
