BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — In a breath-taking display of power and precision, Sherfane Rutherford blasted his way to a maiden One Day International (ODI) century, leading the West Indies to a remarkable five-wicket victory over Bangladesh at Warner Park on Sunday.
The triumph snapped an 11-match losing streak against the visitors, setting the tone for an exhilarating three-match series.
Chasing a daunting target of 295 runs, the West Indies surged home with 14 balls to spare, thanks to Rutherford’s dazzling 113 off 80 balls, a knock punctuated by seven boundaries and eight towering sixes.
Facing an imposing equation of 161 runs required from the final 114 deliveries, Rutherford delivered a masterclass in counterattacking cricket. His electrifying knock not only turned the tide but also brought the Warner Park crowd to its feet. The 25-year-old Guyanese left-hander reached his milestone with a fortuitous overthrow in the 47th over, cementing his place as the match’s undisputed hero. Though he departed shortly after reaching his hundred, the West Indies needed just seven more runs to complete the task.
Hope anchors, Rutherford explodes
Skipper Shai Hope was instrumental in laying the foundation for the successful chase. Following the early dismissals of Brandon King (9) and Evin Lewis (16), Hope’s composed 86 off 88 balls anchored the innings. His critical 99-run partnership with Rutherford stabilized the West Indies after they slumped to 27 for 2, turning a precarious situation into a manageable pursuit.
Rutherford then partnered with Justin Greaves, crafting a blistering 95-run stand in just 10 overs. Greaves contributed an unbeaten 41 off 31 balls, providing the perfect foil to Rutherford’s onslaught.
“We knew it was a big task, but the belief in the dressing room was unshakable,” Hope said after the match. “Sherfane’s innings was nothing short of extraordinary, and it’s a proud moment for the team.”
Bangladesh’s resilient batting effort
Earlier, Bangladesh posted an imposing 294 for 7, thanks to notable contributions from captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz (74 off 101) and opener Tanzid Hasan (60 off 60). The pair rebuilt the innings after the early losses of Soumya Sarkar (19) and Litton Das (2), forging a gritty 79-run partnership for the third wicket.
Tanzid’s stroke-filled knock ended when he nicked behind off Alzarri Joseph, while Mehidy succumbed to a mistimed loft off Jayden Seales. However, the innings gained late momentum through a scintillating 96-run stand between Mahmudullah (50 not out off 44) and Jaker Ali (48 off 40). Their aggressive hitting yielded 84 runs in the final 10 overs, with Mahmudullah clearing the ropes three times.
Bowling brilliance under pressure
The West Indies bowlers showed resolve in key moments. Romario Shepherd emerged as the standout performer with figures of 3 for 51, while Joseph chipped in with 2 for 67. Despite some late fireworks from the Bangladeshi middle order, the bowlers ensured the total remained within striking distance for their batting line-up.
The win not only ended a streak of defeats but also infused fresh confidence into the Caribbean side. With the series now standing at 1-0, the West Indies will aim to capitalize on their newfound momentum in the upcoming matches.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Rutherford said. “To contribute in this way and help the team get over the line feels incredible. Hopefully, this is just the beginning for us.”
