Bangladesh stride to victory in opening ODI

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Bangladesh eased to a comfortable 48-run win over the West Indies in the first of three ODIs in Providence Guyana on Sunday.

The tourists won the toss and elected to bat first, with Tamim Iqbal and Shakib-al-Hasan dominating the innings with a 207 run partnership for the second wicket after Anamul Haque nicked off early to Jason Holder.

A late cameo from Mushfiqur Rahim (30 off 11 balls) combined with an accelerated finish from Tamim (130*) to lift the tourists to 279 for five in their fifty overs, a score that looked to be just about par.

Shakib (97), one of Bangladesh’s brighter sparks in a disappointing Test series, hit just six boundaries in his 121-ball innings, and should have got his eighth century in ODIs before falling with the milestone one stroke away.

Tamim’s tenth ODI century would prove the difference between the two sides with no such anchor role being played by the Windies batsmen in response.

Chris Gayle (40) started well but when he was run out in a mix up with Shimron Hetmyer (52) the chase fell apart dramatically.

The West Indies slipped to 172 for 9 before Devendra Bishoo (29*) and Alzarri Joseph (29*) added some respectability with a 59-run unbroken tenth wicket stand.

Many were critical of the pacing of Bangladesh’s innings with Tamim and Shakib reluctant to take any risks at all through the middle overs but their approach ultimately proved sound enough and Bangladesh take a 1-0 series lead into Wednesday’s second ODI.

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