SYLHET: With the three-match series tied 1-1, both Bangladesh and the Windies will have everything to play for in the final one-day international here at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Bangladesh restricted the Windies to 195/9 in the first game and romped home by five wickets but the visitors fought back in the second ODI, thanks to a magnificent 146 not out from Shai Hope, to chase Bangladesh’s 255 with two balls to spare.
It’s all even-stevens at the moment, but Bangladesh hold the upper hand going into the final purely based on the form of their players. For the Windies, Hope has been the lone scorer in both games.
Bolstered by the return of Tamim Iqbal, who got into the groove with 12 and 50 in the first two games, and their experienced batsmen contributing consistently Mushfiqur Rahim (55 not out, 62), Mahmudullah (14 not out, 30) and Shakib Al Hasan (30, 65) Bangladesh have put up decent batting shows.By comparison, no Windies batsman apart from Hope has scored a fifty yet, and that’s something that may count against them in the last ODI. (UNI)
