Bangladesh seal Windies series
BASSETERRE (ST KITTS AND NEVIS): Bangladesh held off a late charge from West Indies to claim a series-clinching 18-run win in the decisive third and final match of their ODI duel at Warner Park.
After Tamim Iqbal’s second hundred of the series and a quickfire unbeaten half-century by Mahmudullah paced the visitors to a formidable 301 for six, the hosts were restricted to 283 for six in reply despite a rampaging unbeaten 74 off just 41 balls by Rovman Powell. It was Bangladesh’s first series win outside of Asia for nine years, set up by their highest total in an ODI against the West Indies.
With the series all square following the hosts’ thrilling threerun win in the second match under lights in Guyana on Wednesday, Bangladesh set the pace in this decider with their top-order batting justifying the decision by Mashrafe Mortaza to bat first after he won the toss for the third consecutive time.
Tamim’s confident 103 off 124 balls with seven fours and two sixes again provided his team with a solid foundation, his innings lifting his tally in the three matches to 287 runs at an outstanding average of 143.5.
He was the obvious choice as both Man of the Match and Man of the Series.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 301-6 in 50 overs (T Iqbal 103, Mahmudullah 67) bt West Indies 283-6 in 50 overs (R Powell 74*, C Gayle 73, S Hope 64) by 18 runs.