A record partnership by Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan has fired Bangladesh to a convincing 48-run victory over West Indies in the first ODI.
Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mashrafe Mortaza – the four pillars of Bangladesh cricket – answered the country’s distress call in unison as the visiting Bangladesh side overcame the ignominy of their Test series drubbing with a fine 48-run victory in the opening game of the three-match ODI series at the Providence Stadium in Guyana.
Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan made 207 runs in the second wicket to lead Bangladesh to 279 for 4 and then skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza bagged four wickets to flatten the Caribbean who could only manage 231 for 9.
This is also the second highest partnership at any position for Bangladesh. Shakib shares the highest partnership of 224 on the fifth wicket with Mahmudullah against New Zealand last year.
The 280-run target did not look too difficult for a team that boasted the likes of Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis and Andre Russell, but the Bangladesh bowlers were right on their job to record a comfortable win.
Mashrafe Mortaza broke the back of Windies’ chase with figures of 4 for 37.
Read Also : BCB not to allow Mustafiz in overseas T20 leagues for next two years
Tamim did seal his 10th ODI ton, making an unbeaten 130 off 160 balls courtesy of 10 fours and three sixes.
Shakib was unfortunate to miss out on a century, giving a catch to Shimron Hetmyer on 97. His 121-ball innings featured six fours.
Mushfiqur Rahim slammed 30 in just 11 balls late on to take the visitors to a fighting total that in the end proved too much for the hosts.
Right after the Tests it looked impossible but Mashrafe has rejuvenated the side and as long as he is there, everything is possible.
The second match of the series will be played on 25 July and a win in that will seal the series.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 279/4 in 50 overs (Tamim Iqbal 130*, Shakib Al Hasan 97; Mushfiqur Rahim 30; Devendra Bishoo 2-52) beat Windies 231/9 in 50 overs (Shimron Hetmyer 52; Mashrafe Mortaza 4-37) by 48 runs.
