Following a 48-run defeat in the first One-Day International, Windies bounced back in the second game to set up an exciting decider with Bangladesh at the Warner Park in St Kitts on Saturday, Wisden India reported.
After being schooled in the two-match Test series, Bangladesh managed to teach Windies a lesson in the first ODI. They almost ended up doing the same in the second match before Jason Holder, the Windies skipper, held his nerve to defend eight runs in the final over and gave his team a three-run victory.
However, it was Shimron Hetmyer who rightly emerged as the hero with his stroke-filled 93-ball 125. The 21-year-old batsman took the ruthless approach and smoked seven sixes and three fours to lead his team to a total of 271. Despite contributions from all of their senior men – Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah – Bangladesh failed to get the job done.
Windies batsmen looked rusty in the first encounter, but in the second ODI, Hetmyer found decent support from the other top-order batsmen. The onus will still be on the likes of Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis and Shai Hope to come up with major contributions and make a solid impact in the decider. The hosts will also look to make improvements in the bowling department considering none of them have managed to pose threats to the Bangladeshi batsmen.
There is still no update on Andre Russell, who missed the second ODI due to a knee injury.
Barring the last-over mess up, Bangladesh have done well in the series. Tamim, Shakib and Mushfiqur have been in incredible touch and the visiting side will once again require their services in St Kitts. However, at least one of them will have to bat till the end and ensure Bangladesh get over the line.
In the bowling department, Mashrafe Mortaza, the captain, has led his side from the front. The 34-year-old scalped four wickets in the first contest and was equally impressive in the second one as well. The likes of Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain and Shakib too have been amongst the wickets.
On paper, Bangladesh look more experienced and steady, but counting out Windies who are filled with quite a few match-winners, is not the risk Mortaza’s men would be willing to take.
Teams (from):
Windies: Jason Holder (capt), Devendra Bishoo, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope (wk), Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Kieran Powell, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell.
Bangladesh: Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Nazmul Haque, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Mosaddek Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Nazmul Hossain, Abu Hider, Abu Javed, Mehidy Hasan, Nazmul Islam.