Mirpur: Towhid Hridoy hit a half-century as Bangladesh were bowled out for 207 in 49.4 overs against West Indies in the three-match ODI series opening game on a sluggish wicket at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur today. Hridoy helped Bangladesh rebuild the innings after a disastrous start by hitting 51 off 90 with the help of three boundaries.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, debutant Mahidul Islam Ankon also played a vital role in steadying the innings with 46. Najmul Hossain Shanto made 32, and Rishad Hossain hammered a 13-ball 26 toward the end to propel Bangladesh past the 200-run mark.
After being sent to bat first, Bangladesh were reduced to 8-2 in the blink of an eye with in-form Saif Hasan (3) and Soumya Sarkar (4), who returned to the national squad, but were dismissed in three balls. Hridoy and Shanto rebuilt the innings slowly but steadily by sharing a 71-run partnership.
Khary Pierre broke through with the wicket of Shanto, whom he dismissed by overturning the umpire’s decision through a review. Hridoy raised his 11th half-century off 87 balls, steering Roston Chase past cover for a single. However, his patient fifty came to a tame end soon when he edged a delivery from Justin Greaves behind.
As has been the case, Hridoy’s dismissal raised a fear of collapse, but Ankon, on his debut, showed a steely resolve to resist it. Chase got the better of Ankon as he was four runs shy of his fifty, leaving a total above 200 in doubt. However, Rishad’s big-hitting prowess powered Bangladesh past 200 and gave a much-needed psychological edge.
Jayden Seals was the most successful bowler for West Indies with 3-48, while Chase and Greaves took two wickets apiece.