After being asked to bat first, the Bangladeshi Tigers managed to score 207 runs. The surface was no less than a minefield as Bangladeshi batters had to grind a lot. West Indies ‘ performance with the ball in hand was quite promising, as we can say that playing against India earlier in Tests helped them get the team gel properly, as there was a fighting spirit in the match.
West Indies have a productive power play with early wickets
Jayden Seales & Romario Shepherd were spitting fire with the new ball in hand. The surface wasn’t a batting paradise by any means. Saif Hassan was trapped LBW in the 2nd over by Romario Shepherd. In the very next over, Jayden Seales got rid of Soumya Sarkar gave a kind of catching practice to Roston Chase, who was at the backward point. Bangladesh’s score was 8-2 in 2.1 overs.
Romario Shepherd especially bowled immaculate line & lengths. It was quite confusing to see that Bangladeshi batters showed no intent by any means in the powerplay overs. We can say that there was a rescue operation carried out by both Najmil Shanto Hossain & Towhid Hridoy. Well, it can be because against Afghanistan in the recently concluded 3rd ODI match, the side got bundled out inside 100 runs. Bangladesh’s score at the end of 10 overs was 33 runs for the loss of 2 wickets.
Towhid Hridoy & Najmul Shanto Hossain begin fightback
West Indies’ spinners Roston Chase & Gudakesh Motie were quite disciplined in their approach. West Indies’ ground fielding was quite improved, and it looked as if there was a different kind of zeal. Slowly and steadily, the pressure was mounting on both Najmul Shanto Hossain & Towhid Hridoy, as taking calculated risks was also not a feasible option.
At the end of the first drinks break, Bangladesh’s score was 56-2 in 17 overs. The current run rate wasn’t even up to the modern standards of ODI cricket. The positive thing for Bangladesh was that, slowly and steadily, the partnership was forming, and also, both Najmul Shanto Hossain & Towhid were slowly getting into the zone.
West Indies pull back things
Najmil Shanto Hossain became the victim of Khary Piere in the 23rd over. The dismissal not only opened the gates for the West Indies but also put massive brakes on the scoring run rate for Bangladesh. At the end of Najmul Shanto Hossain’s dismissal, Bangladesh’s score was 79-3 in 22.1 overs. West Indies tightened up the screws from both ends with Gudakesh Motie & Khary Pierre operating in tandem.
Bangladesh knowingly or unknowingly got into a deep muddle. It would sound very harsh, but it looked as if the fans and spectators were watching Test cricket with hardly any intent of taking down the bowlers or rotating the strike in regular intervals. During the second drinks break, Bangladesh’s score was 110-3 as Towhid Hridoy was nearing his hard-fought half-century.
Towhid Hridoy departs after a half-century; West Indies in ascendancy
In the 35th over, Towhid Hridoy was deceived by the flamboyant fast bowling all-rounder Justin Greaves. Towhid Hridoy would rue that he couldn’t convert his half-century into a big ton as the wicket was a bit sticky, which made life, we can say, hell for batters. Bangladesh’s score at the end of Towhid Hridoy’s dismissal was 115-4 in 35.4 overs.
West Indies’ skipper Shai Hope rotated his bowlers smartly as he had three spin bowling options who thrived under pressure. Bangladesh wasn’t able to execute any sort of aggressive intent as perhaps they waited for the death overs to unleash the attack. At the end of 40 overs, Bangladesh’s score was 140-4.
Bangladesh provides a blitz in death overs
Bangladesh’s skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz took the attack on the bowlers. In the 42nd over, Jayden Seales was whacked around the park. Though the attacking intent of Mehidy Hasan Miraz was short one. Roston Chase got rid of the Bangladeshi skipper in the 44th over as Bangladesh’s score was 158-5 in 43.5 overs.
Wickets kept on tumbling from both ends, but Bangladesh ended the innings in a grand fashion. Roston Chase got yet another wicket of Mahidul Islam Ankon as he castled his stumps in the 46th over. Mahidul Islam Ankon was dismissed on 46 runs in 76 balls as his knock gave Bangladesh some momentum. Bangladesh ended their innings on 207 runs as the team got bundled out with 2 balls remaining.
Who’s winning, Bangladesh or West Indies?
Bangladesh would be the happier side going into the dressing room. The last 10 overs yielded 67 runs, which has now given Bangladesh a near match-winning score. Bangladesh’s bowlers under the lights would most probably be very threatening, and we should not forget that the spin bowling attack led by Mehidy Hasan Miraz can spin a web
West Indies, on the other hand, would be slightly upset as they allowed the score to go beyond 200 runs. Kharry Pierre was the pick of the bowlers who conceded only 19 runs in his 10-over spell and took 1 wicket. West Indies should back themselves to win the target. If the West Indies play the entire 50 overs, then they most likely will win the match. The onus will be on as usual, on Shai Hope to give the team a good start.
It’s quite tricky and confusing to pick which team will win the match. Looking at the pitch and conditions, Bangladesh looks all set to win the match by 30-50 runs, as playing spin hasn’t been the West Indies’ great arsenal. The 2nd innings promises to be a cracker of the encounter as a win for West Indies can enlighten their ODI cricket. Let’s see if Bangladesh can take revenge for the earlier ODI Series defeat of 0-3, or if the West Indies continue the winning juggernaut against the Bangladeshi Tigers.
Also Read: BAN vs WI: Bangladesh Aim For Turn Around Against High Flying West Indies