MIRPUR, Bangladesh – The West Indies’ batting frailties were once again brutally exposed, as Bangladesh romped to a 179-run victory in the third and deciding One-Day International (ODI) to claim the series 2–1 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Thursday.
On a surface where both sides had previously struggled for runs, Bangladesh’s openers Soumya Sarkar and Saif Hassan defied expectations with fluent half-centuries, propelling the hosts to an imposing 296 for eight after electing to bat. In reply, the West Indies folded meekly for 117 in just 30.1 overs, their top order undone by Bangladesh’s spinners in a collapse that sealed the Caribbean side’s fate long before the innings’ halfway mark.
Sarkar and Hassan set the stage
Bangladesh’s dominance began from the opening over, with Hassan dispatching left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein for consecutive boundaries to signal intent. Sarkar soon joined the assault, taking Roston Chase for a six and four, while Hassan launched one of his own over the ropes in the same over as the scoreboard raced to 60 without loss.
The pair maintained relentless pressure, combining clean hitting with measured stroke play to post a 176-run stand in 25 overs—the second-highest opening partnership in Bangladesh’s ODI history.
Sarkar reached his 14th ODI half-century off 48 balls, while Hassan marked his maiden fifty in just 44 deliveries with a six and four off Gudakesh Motie. By the 16th over, Bangladesh had surged past 100 without loss, and both openers looked untouchable.
Hassan, in particular, was devastating—hammering six sixes and six fours before finally perishing for 80 off 72 balls, caught at long-on off Chase. Sarkar, later named Player of the Match, pressed on to 91 from 86 balls before holing out to Ackeem Auguste at deep midwicket, having struck seven fours and four sixes.
West Indies rally briefly
After the blistering start, Bangladesh’s momentum dipped as the West Indies clawed back with five wickets for 30 runs. Hosein led the late resistance with 4 for 41, while part-time spinner Alick Athanaze contributed 2 for 37.
However, the early onslaught had already done irreparable damage, and Bangladesh’s total of 296 was well beyond the reach of a fragile West Indies batting order.
Spin wrecks the chase
If there were faint hopes of a successful chase, they evaporated quickly under a masterclass in spin bowling. Nasum Ahmed produced a devastating new-ball spell, striking thrice inside the first nine overs to leave the visitors reeling at 35 for three.
With only 16 runs on the board, Athanaze was trapped lbw, followed swiftly by Auguste—also leg-before on review—before Brandon King was bowled by a delivery that stayed low.
The collapse deepened when captain Shai Hope miscued Tanvir Islam to backward point for four, reducing the side to 46 for four.
Rishad Hossain, later named Player of the Series for his 12 wickets, then tightened the noose by removing Sherfane Rutherford (12) and Roston Chase (0) in quick succession.
Hosein lone bright spot in dismal reply
Lower down the order, Akeal Hosein provided the only flicker of resistance, striking a spirited 27 off 15 balls before becoming the final wicket to fall, bowled by Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
The rest of the innings offered little substance. Ahmed finished with a spectacular 3 for 11, Hossain took 3 for 54, Islam claimed 2 for 16, and Miraz wrapped up proceedings with 2 for 35.
The result marked Bangladesh’s second-largest ODI win when batting first, and their biggest ever against the West Indies—capping their first bilateral ODI series victory in 17 months.
