Bangladesh seal easy win as Shakib returns like a king

Bangladesh have opened their account in the ongoing ODI Super League by beating the West Indies convincingly by six wickets in the first of the three-match ODI series at the Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday. 

This was the first-ever ODI between two full members since 1991 that saw seven or more debutants- six from the West Indies and one from Bangladesh. This match also marked Shakib Al Hasan's return to international cricket after as many as 486 days. This was his 100th home ODI as well.

Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal won the toss and chose to field. His decision paid dividends as Mustafizur Rahman trapped Sunil Ambris leg before with a beautiful inswinger. Mustafizur also accounted for Ambris' opening partner Joshua Da Silva's dismissal before Shakib Al Hasan spun a web.

Shakib reached the milestone of 150 wickets on home soil by cleaning up Andre McCarthy in his second over, with the score being 45 for three in the 13th over. The all-rounder then got Jason Mohammed and Nkrumah Bonner in consecutive overs and left the visitors tottering at 56 for five.

Debutant Kyle Mayers and Rovman Powell stitched a substantial partnership of 59 off 63 balls for the sixth wicket before the latter was caught behind off Hasan Mahmud. The fast bowler, on debut, picked up three wickets and at one stage was on a hat-trick. 

PM congratulates cricket team

Mayers top-scored with 40 off 56 deliveries with the help of four fours and a six. Apart from him and Powell, none of the West Indies batsmen got going as seven of them registered single-digit scores. They couldn't bat for more than 32.2 overs and folded for a paltry 122.

Shakib Al Hasan, on his comeback to international cricket, delivered a stellar performance as he returned with figures 7.2-2-8-4. This was the best bowling performance by a Bangladeshi bowler against the West Indies. Shakib's spell was also the most economical one by a Bangladeshi bowler in ODIs with three or more wickets.

In reply, Bangladesh got off to a watchful start. Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das added 47 in 13.2 overs before Liton got out. He did not quite get into the grooves and was squared up and bowled by left-arm orthodox spinner Akeal Hosein for 14.

Hosein got Najmul Hossain Shanto dismissed in his next over which brought Shakib Al Hasan into the crease. Skipper Tamim Iqbal played a useful knock of 44 off 69 before he was stumped off his counterpart Jason Mohammed. 

Akeal Hosein got his third wicket in the very last ball by dismissing Shakib and finished with figures 10-1-26-3. 

Mahmudullah, who came in at six, paired up with Mushfiqur Rahim ensured that there was no more hiccup. Bangladesh went past the West Indies' total with 97 balls to spare. Mushfiqur remained unbeaten on 19 and Mahmudullah on 9.

Brief scores-

West Indies 122 (Kyle Mayers 40, Rovman Powell 28, Jason Mohammed 17, Shakib Al Hasan 4/8, Hasan  Mahmud 3/28, Mustafizur Rahman 2/20)
Bangladesh 125/4 (Tamim Iqbal 44, Mushfiqur Rahim 19*, Shakib Al Hasan 19, Akeal Hosein 3/26, Jason Mohammed 1/19)

Result: Bangladesh won by 6 wickets. 

Man of the Match: Shakib Al Hasan.