Bangladesh West Indies ODI Series: Third Match Played at St Kitts
Brief Score: Bangladesh 301/ 6 (Tamim Iqbal 103, Mahmudullah Riyad 67*, Shakib Al Hasan 37, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza 36, Nurse 2/52 Holder 2/55) beat West Indies 283/6 (R Powell 74*, CH Gayle 73, S Hope 64, S Hetmeyer 30, Mashrafe 2/63) by 18 runs
Cricket has earned glory for Bangladesh yet again. Team tigers have made Bangladesh Glitter again in world sporting map. Led from the front by charismatic inspiring captain courageous Mashrafe Bin Mortaza Bangladesh won a thrilling ODI series 2-1 against West Indies Yesterday at picturesque stadium of lovely St Kitts Island. After a disastrous test series, a committed leader with his Midas touch infused courage, self belief and will to win turning around from deep despair.
Bangladesh won the series decider third ODI at St Kitts by 18 runs. Winning the toss third time in three matches Mashrafe opted to bat. His team responded producing a challenging score of 301 /6. His bowlers and fielders performed brilliantly in restricting at times resurging West Indies to 283/6. He did not panic neither his team did. Bangladesh won eventually by 18 runs.
Bangladesh won the first match by 48 runs and the let the second one slip off it grip by 3 runs. The series is won by 2-1. This is the second series win of Bangladesh in West Indies after their 3-0 Win against a depleted West Indian team. The series win is the sweetest in the context that Bangladesh earlier was blown away by the Glittering West Indians in the comprehensive test series white wash. It was not that they lost two tests by huge margin it was the manner they were bruised, battered and humiliated which required such a brilliant turn around for injecting fresh air in the vein of Bangladesh cricket .
Bangladesh earlier was also unexpectedly white washed in a T20 series by rookies Afghanistan. The ardent admirers of Bangladesh Cricket believed deep in their heart that they would soon over come. They only required a spark and that spark was given by Mashrafee. The encouragement that he infused into the veins of his mates made them turn around rediscovering themselves.
All the fabulous five Mashrafe, Tamim, Shakib , Mushfique , Mahmuddullah made significant contributions . Miraj, Mustafiz and Rubel looked like a different bowler. Bangladesh fielding suddenly looked much smarter. In ODI Bangladesh was definitely much better team and deservedly won the series. It should have been 3-0. But Ok it did not matter. There are some loose knots here and there. Anamul struggled to find his feet, Sabbir looked hesitant. Perhaps with more matches Mustafiz and Rubel would improve their skills in death over bowling.
The Third Match:
Mashrafe for the third time was lucky with the coin. In the first match at Providence Guyana batted first and scoring 279 defended admirably. In the second day night match in the same venue they opted to field and were cruising to a victory target of 272 till the last over requiring 8 for the win with 5 wickets at hand. Bangladesh choked and lost by 3 runs. Yesterday at St Kitts Mashrafe decided to bat. The unchanged Bangladesh did not make an ideal start on a good batting surface.
Anamul who batted like a Tsunami in the second ODI was looking out of mind. He struggled for 10 runs wasting 31 balls before getting out. This put pressure on inform Tamim and Shakib for recovering the run rate and getting going. This prolific pair once again put up another useful 81 runs before Shakib getting start again could not kick on. He got out to Nurse scoring 37. Nurse and Bishoo getting some assistance from the wicket created some draught in the early stage of the innings.
Mushfique joined Terrific Tamim going about his business as usual of piling runs. It was expected that Mushfique would carry on with his great form. But trying an absolute agricultural stroke he lost his furniture to Nurse. We are sure Mushfique himself will be ashamed every time he watches the replay.
Tamim and Mahmudullah resurrected the innings. Tamim was the sheet anchor and Mahmudullah was more aggressive in their 48 runs fourth wicket partnership. Tamim scored his second century of the innings and taking his three matches ODI series tally to 287 ( highest against West Indies by any player in West Indies ) he got out . 200/4 at the 40th over was thought at least 30 runs too less.
Mashrafe made a master stroke at this stage. He promoted himself ahead of Sabbir and Mosaddek and delivered a 25 balls 36 runs cameo. His aggression ignited his partner Mahmudullah as well. By the time Mashrafe got out at 46 over 253 runs was posted and Mahmudullah was going great gone. Unfortunately Sabbir could not last longer. But free stroking Mahmudullah blasted unbeaten 67 in 48 deliveries. Together with youngster Mosaddek 43 runs were added in the last three overs of 31 runs came in the last two overs. Bangladesh crossing the 300 runs land mark finished at 301/6. We know Tamim and Mahmudullah did bulk of the runs. But what about Mashrafe decision of taking charge himself and playing a blinder. Such decision makes the difference between good captain and great captain.
On the wicket and specially considering the presence of Universal Boss CH Gayle hungry for runs even 302 runs target was not considered safe. Mashrafe and Miraj definitely started well. But it does not matter how well you bowl when Gayle hail is set. He was on mood. But on the other end Lewis was struggling. Mashrafe leaked some runs in his 4th and 5th overs. Yet he continued and on his 6th got the wicket of Lewis again. Gayle was making merry at this stage. Mustafiz in his first spell did not give him liberty. Mashrafee hesitated bringing in Shakib as that would be easier for tweeting Gayle. He tried with Mahmudullah and Mosaddeq . But Gayle blasted them all over the park. Ultimately he commissioned his last dice Rubel and he delivered. But before Gayle left the scene he played a strokefull innings of 73 in 66 deliveries.
Once Gayle was gone Mustafiz and Ruel bowled some very tight overs. Hope and Hetmeyer could not take any liberty. West Indies were falling behind in run rate. They could not rotate the strikes. Only 67 runs were added in the third wicket partnership in about 15 overs before MIraj cleaned up centurian of the previous match Hetmeyer . K Powell came and went getting run out. R Powell joined Hope and tried to enliven the innings from the very start. But he could not infuse urgency into Hope. West Indies was progressively slipping behind in asking rate. By the time Mashrafe in his second spell removed Hope for 66 accumulated in 90 balls.
West Indies was precariously placed at 5/224 in the 44th over. Holder and Powell tried their best specially Powell. His heroic innings of unbeaten 74 in only 71 deliveries could only set some butterflies in Bangladesh camp. Rubel bowled tight overs though Mustafiz leaked few runs in the last spell. When stumps were drawn West Indies were 18 runs behind. Bangladesh won the ODI and won the series 2-1. For his century in the match and 287 runs in the series Tamim Iqbal won both man of the match and man of the series.
It was a great come back for Bangladesh. Both the teams would have lot to ponder what they can improved in one year they have to play ICC World Cup in England. Bangladesh must find a more competent opening partner of Tamim. Hope Soumya rediscovers his form. Bangladesh should review whether number three is ideal batting slot for Shakib or Mahmudullah like in 2015 should be batting there. Shakib would be ideal at number five. Bangladesh must find a better number 6. We do not think Sabbir has technique or mental make up now for that position. Mosaddek is OK. But Ariful and others may be tried. In England finger spinners may not be that useful. Bangladesh must continue hunting for a pace bowling all rounder and a back up pacer. Hope Taskin gets back soon.
West Indies needs to review its batting options. Gayle and Lewis are Ok at the top. Hetmeyer and R Powell may further improve. But Bravos and Pollard if found fit must be drafted as soon as possible. In the bowling Roach, Gabriel and Narin should be included.
FINALLY FOR THE CAUSE OF BANGLADESH MASHRAFE MUST RECONSIDER HIS OPTION OF GETTING BACK INTO T20 International. HIS LEADING FROM THE FRONT BENEFITS ALL INCLUDING SHAKIB, TAMIM, MUSHFIQUE . Who is a better roll model for Rubel, Mustafiz, Miraj and Mosaddek?
Just read what he said in the post match interview.
"Cricket is a mental game. But boys stepped up from the first ODI itself, but we played well for the most part of the game even when we lost in match 2. Boys are in good touch so the juniors need to step up too. Bowlers were good in all three games, and now we need to start the T20s confidently. West Indies are a great T20I team."
Congratulations Bangladesh. Team Tigers Glorified Bangladesh yet again.
BDST: 0913 HRS, JUL 29, 2018
SI/SMS
