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Bangladesh Vs West Indies First ODI Match Played at SBNCS Dhaka on 9 December 2018
Brief Score:
Bangladesh 196/5 in 35.1 overs (Mushfiqur Rahim 55*, Liton K Das 41, Shakib Al Hasan 30, Soumya Sarkar 19, Mahmudullah Riyad 14* , D Bishoo 2/47) Beat West Indies 195/9 (SO Hope 43, KMA Paul 36, RL Chase 32, MN Samuels 25, DM Bravo 19, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza 3/30, Mustafizur Rahman 3/35, Mehidy Miraz 1/30, Shakib Al Hasan 1/36, Rubel Hossain 1/61) by 5 wickets
Player of the Match: Mashrafe Bin Mortaza
Immaculate bowling and exemplary leadership of Charismatic Bangladesh Captain Mashrafe led team Bangladesh earning an easy 5-wicket win over West Indies in the first of the three matches ODI series at SBNCS Dhaka yesterday. He made his milestone 200th ODI series appearance a memorable event with a man of the match performance of 3/30 in 10 miserly overs of immaculate bowling. All his inspired bowling mates produced very tight and probing bowling spells squeezing visitors to a below par 195/9 in allotted overs. Bangladesh looking a bit jittery at some stages overwhelmed the target riding on Majestic Mushfiq (55*) and sizzling Shakib (30). Liton K Das also batted aggressively scoring 41.
It was a clinical flawless Bangladesh performance when all bowlers bowled smartly and batting looked efficient on a sluggish wicket of uneven bounce. Winning a match with almost 15 overs to spare can be tagged a one way traffic. West Indies was by far the distant second in two horses’ derby. With Bangladesh achieving a comprehensive white wash in test series another ODI series white wash is on the card.
Mashrafee letting his performance speak answered few questions few uninformed critics were asking. He is a very special human being, a very rare species. His unflustered and unwavering attention to his task as cricketer was never affected. His decision for joining politics and going for general election could not divert his attention at all for serving Bangladesh with the best of his ability.
Bangladesh opting to go with four virtual openers triggered few questions. Tamim was to return any way. But the question was being asked who to pair with him at the top. Of the four three were left-handers excepting Liton. For left and right combination Liton was slotted with Tamim. There were no ways ignoring Kayes for his prolific batting form in the last ODI series against Zimbabwe.
Neither could Soumya be ignored. He scored punishing century in the last ODI and even scored another century against the same opposition in the warm up match. Hence all four were there. Bangladesh could afford that as prolific Tamim and Flamboyant Shakib returned. Mushfiq and Mahmudullah were also in great touch. Anyway apart from Kayes getting out to a blistering fast delivery and Tamim himself getting out cheaply Liton and Soumya did not disappoint. Personally I would suggest playing Mithun in top order. But will Bangladesh break the winning combination. Perhaps will not.
In test Bangladesh strangled West Indies with four spinners. In ODI mission as expected three pacers were drafted. Two quality wicket taking spinners Shakib and Mehidy were good enough. As told already all bowlers bowled to a plan. All bowled aggressively attacking all the time.
West Indies on the other hand did not have Gayle, Lewis, Narine, Russell and Holder for different reasons. But they had Marlon Samuels and Daren Bravo back in action. They included new fast bowling sensation Thomas in the line up. In recent times they performed admirably well against India in ODI series winning one and competing in another. But on the day they hardly could put up a contest.
Many would argue with dew in prospect in Bangladesh winter evening winning the toss and batting was the right option. But Bangladesh positivity in all areas bowling, batting and fielding made telling difference.
Mashrafe inspired bowling attack was very probing and penetrative. West Indies could hardly master the very accurate bowling attack. Three quality pacers were at his disposal. But Mashrafe surprised all letting two spinners Shakib and Mehidy opening the attack. Shakib had instant success. When Mustafiz was introduced and Mashrafe brought himself in West Indian batsmen could hardly negotiate the very accurate pace bowling on a sluggish wicket. All the experience of Bravo and Samuels did very little.
Bangladesh dropped few catches but grabbed few spectacular ones. Tamim, Mehidy and Liton took some blinders. Mashrafe bowled 10 miserly overs giving away nothing. His 3/30 pegged the visitors back. Mustafiz in late overs as usually deceived batsmen with his trade mark slow off cutters taking 3/35. Had not Keemo Paul and Roston Chase desperately played some late aggressive strokes the score could be much less than 195/9. All five Bangladesh bowlers took wickets. Shakib, Mehidy and Rubel took one each.
Chasing 196 and winning for a Bangladesh batting unit was not an issue. But the concern was wicket condition and presence of Roach, Thomas and Bishoo in the opposition camp. Tamim and Liton struggled a bit at the start combining to terms with the pace and bounce of the wicket. Tamim lost his wicket to Chase trying to attack him. Liton got a life when he was out off a no ball of Raoch. He capitalized with a fiery 41. But Kayes was knocked out by a thunder bolt of Thomas. He bowled express pace clocking 140 kmh plus in his all deliveries. He will be the bowler to watch in the remaining two matches.
Bishoo also caused some headaches. But I think Mashrafe made another master stroke placing Mushfique at his original batting spot of four ahead of Shakib. When going gets tougher Mushfiq with his skill and temperament is the ideal solution. He used all his tricks out of his hat. His brief partnership with Liton, Shakib and Mahmudullah won the match for Bangladesh easy. Bishoo and Thomas were really looking lethal at one stage. Liton had a start. On such a wicket a batsman making start must carry on. But after reaching 41 he threw it away. Shakib struck some vital blows in his 30. Mushfiq was looking sublime. His unbeaten 55 took Bangladesh across the rope with 14.4 overs to spare.
A cakewalk win is a great start to a mission series white wash. West Indies may still bounce back if they get the right bearing. The captain is young and new. Perhaps T20 Captain Braithwaite should have been in the team.
The second match is very important. It will be do on die for West Indies while Bangladesh would go one step further to its mission White Wash if they win.
Mashrafe with his trend setting immaculate bowling performance and smart leadership own player of the match award.
I would request CRICKET ADMIRERS OF BANGLADESH giving devils its due. Never go for uninformed criticism of some one dedicating his all for his country’s interest. Was there any better committed cricketer than Mashrafe? How many better human being than his in sports in Bangladesh? Let Bangladesh get glorified in his possibly farewell ODI series at home with series white wash in the month of Victory.
BDST: 0945 HRS, DEC 10, 2018
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