Bangladesh smashed West Indies by 120 runs in the final ODI match and whitewashed West Indies by 3-0 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Monday. With the clean sweep, Tigers returned to international cricket arena on a grand note following a gap of nine months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Earlier, the Bangladesh batsmen did their job with four half centuries from skipper Tamim Iqbal, premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad before the bowlers finished off the Windies. The Caribbeans however managed to reach their highest total in this series despite being all-out for 177.
After Bangladesh posted a commendable total of 297/6, West Indies batsmen once again struggled at the top of the order as Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Saifuddin and Mehedi Hasan Miraz bowled economically. Fizz, Mehedi and Saifuddin bagged early wickets to put Windies on the back foot.
West Indies lost wickets at regular intervals and their batsmen failed to put any resolute act to even get any closer to the target set by the Bangladesh batsmen. Saifuddin was the peak of the bowlers as he grabbed 3 wickets. Mustafiz and Mehedi scalped two wickets each.
Amid all the joy, there was some bad news as Shakib had to go off with an injury. He will be kept under observation for what appears to be a groin injury. During the post-match presentation, Shakib said he was not sure about the severity of this injury. Shakib however, was elected as the Player of the Series, Mushfiq was adjudged as Player of the Match.
Earlier, Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah came up with quick half centuries to propel Tigers to 297. Mushfiq hit 55-ball 64 while Mahmudullah played an unbeaten on 43-ball 64 laced with three maximums and boundaries.
Skipper Tamim and all-rounder Shakib also hit a 50. Tamim scored 80-ball 64, laced with three boundaries and one maximum while Shakib added 81-ball 50 laced with three boundaries. This was only the second time when Tamim, Shakib, Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah hit half centuries in a single ODI.