Windies slump to defeat in ODI opener against Bangladesh

A change of format made little difference to West Indies’ fortunes as another timid batting display sent them tumbling to a five-wicket defeat in the opening One-Day International on Sunday.

Choosing to bat first at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Bangladesh, the WI stumbled their way to an uncompetitive 195 for nine off their 50 overs, with opener Shai Hope top-scoring with 43.

West Indies were at snail’s pace as they crawled to 79 for three at the half-way stage of the innings, and they needed busy knocks from Keemo Paul (36) and Roston Chase (32) down the order to lift the tempo.

Seamers Mashrafe Mortaza (3-30) and Mustafizur Rahman (3-35) kept the Windies in check, however, limiting them to their fourth-lowest total against Bangladesh.

In reply, Bangladesh overcame the lost of two early wickets to coast to their target in the 36th over, with wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim stroking an unbeaten 55 and Liton Das gathering 41.