Bangladesh produced a commanding performance to crush West Indies by 179 runs in the third ODI to seal their first series win since March last year. A scintillating 176-run stand between Saif Hassan (80 off 72) and Soumya Sarkar (91 off 86) laid the foundation for Bangladesh’s formidable total of 296 for 8. In reply, the visitors were bundled out for 117 in just 30.1 overs.
Rishad Hossain bowled and took three wickets to take his series tally to 12, becoming the first Bangladeshi bowler since 2015 to take more than ten wickets in a bilateral ODI series. Nasum Ahmed also claimed three wickets while Tanvir Islam finished with impressive figures of 8-0-16-2.
Bangladesh’s opening pair went on the attack from the start, unusual in what has been a series dominated by spin and cracking pitches. Saif and Sarkar matched each other stroke for stroke, attacking the West Indies bowlers to form Bangladesh’s second-highest opening partnership in ODIs, as well as the first opening stand at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in a decade.
Saif made his intentions known early, hitting Akeal Hosein for two boundaries in the first over, followed by a six in the next. Sarkar responded by sending Roston Chase for two back-to-back sixes. Saif, after successfully overturning an lbw decision on the field, unleashed a superb shot from the innings, lofted high over Greaves covers.
Boundaries flowed freely as the innings progressed. Saif brought up his maiden fifty in the 16th over to complete Bangladesh’s opening 100-run stand in style. At the other end, Sarkar struck with precision, hammering Motie for a six and a four in the 25th over before being dismissed for 91, just nine short of his fourth ODI century.
The rest of the batting line-up could not maintain the same momentum. Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy added 50 for the third wicket only for Shanto to depart thanks to a stunning full-length catch by Alick Athanaz. Despite a late flurry of West Indian spinners, Bangladesh’s 296, including a record 14 sixes, remained formidable.
West Indies’ response never gained traction. Nasum struck early, removing Alick Athanaze and Ackeem Auguste lbw in the fifth over, followed by Brandon King for 18. Shai Hope lasted just four balls before Tanvir Islam trapped him and Rutherford’s inside play to Mehidy Hasan Miraz brought in another wicket. Rishad Hossain wrapped up the innings by dismissing Chase for a duck and trapping Motie as West Indies crumbled under a relentless spin attack.
After splitting the first two ODIs, Bangladesh’s emphatic victory in the decider secured a 2-1 series win, powered by a match-defining opening stand and a devastating spin attack.
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
October 23, 2025
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