A near perfect clinical performance of Bangladesh put paid to West Indian challenge in the tri-nation ODI series. Bangladeshi batsmen with all guns blazing roller coasted their first match of the series against World Cup opponent by 8 wickets. World Wide Team tiger admirers enjoyed the dream start of their adoring team in the mission world cup 2019. Batting first West Indies again riding on prolific form of Shai Hope scored 261/9 in allotted overs. Hope scored back to back centuries (109). Bangladeshi bowlers excepting Mustafiz struggling to find his rhythm, bowled at miserly length in restricting high flying Caribbean’s. Bangladesh openers Tamim and Soumya gave rollicking start putting up a 144 runs opening partnership. Shakib and Mushfiqur followed up with another unbroken 68 runs partnership winning the match by 8 wickets with 5 overs to spare. Three half centuries Tamim (80), Soumya (73) and Shakib (61) led the way. Mushfiqur also looked in pristine form remaining not out on 32. Bangladesh could not expect a better start to its dream journey. West Indies in the first match trounced host Ireland by a huge margin when their openers Hope and Campbell blasted home bowlers all around the park with a world record setting first wicket partnership of 365. Bangladesh however suffered a humiliating defeat to Irish second string team. Much greater contest was expected from the clash of two World cup contestant. Surprising all West Indies ignored century striker Campbell for the match relying more on Sunil Ambris. Bangladesh changed their bowling combination from the practice match replacing Rubel and Taskin with Mustafiz and Saifuddin. Miraz came in replacing Farhad Reza. Winning the toss and electing to bat Hope and Ambris were well on their merry way for another flowering opening partnership. But West Indies in recent time have their weakness against genuine spin. Mehedi Miraz and Shakib two world class spinners struck double blows removing Amaris and Bravo in quick succession. Mashrafe and Saifuddin were bowling in the right areas but Mustafiz was struggling with setting his gears right. Hope and Chasing were punishing him. Prolific Hope and Chase were showing dreams to West Indies with a 115 runs third wicket partnership. Mashrafe could use Sabbir .Soumya or even Riyad for a change the tempo. Anyway before the two could strike damage Captain Courageous himself dealt deadly blows removing both the set batsmen Chase and Hope in the space of three deliveries. Rest of the batsmen had no answer to the diverse quality bowling attack of Bangladesh. Only 61 runs could be added in the last 10 overs as West Indies could master a below par 261 /9 in their allotted overs. Mashrafe was the peak of the pack with 3/49 while Saifuddin took 2/47 and Mustafiz 2/84. Shakib and Miraz took a wicket each giving away only 69 runs in their 20 overs. Tamim and Soumya gave a rollicking start to the innings taking huge toll on the inconsistent West Indian pace attack of Gabriel, Cottrell, Holder and Roach. Tamim looked in his elements and Soumya carried his recent domestic form. 144 runs first wicket partnership laid the foundation of the innings effectively. Tamim scored 80 played sheet anchor role while Soumya looked more aggressive of the two scoring 73. Two class players Shakib (61*) and Mushfiqur (32*) finished the match with unbroken third wicket partnership 68 runs scored in 8.2 overs. Bangladesh won huge and handsome by 8 wickets with 5 overs to spare. This win sets of Bangladesh mission to World Cup 2019 in a grand fashion. The wicket was not batting paradise .Yet Bangladesh batted superbly. West Indies attack however lacked penetration and bite. All World cup teams would have great attacks. It was great watching Bangladesh batsmen learning from mistakes of the practice match. However, there are still few areas to iron out. Bangladesh needs wicket with new ball. Even West Indies will have Universal boss CH Gayle and E Lewis two prolific strikers at the top in World Cup. Mustafiz must get back his consistent form as soon as possible. Perhaps next match will see the winning combination playing. Rubel and Rahi should be tried at some point. If Bangladesh wins next match Taskin should be given a go as well. Bangladesh is expected to win this Tri Nation Series but more than that they must find the right combination keeping the players fit. Tri Nation ODI Series in Ireland Bangladesh Vs West Indies Played at Dublin Brief Score Card Bangladesh 264/2 in 45 Overs (Tamim Iqbal 80, Soumya Sarkar 73, Shakib Al Hasan 61* and Mushfiqur Rahim 32*) beat West Indies 261/9 in 50 Overs (Shai Hope 109, Roston Chase 61, Sunil Ambris 38, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza 3/49, Mohammad Saifuddin 2/47, Mustafiz 2/84, Shakib Al Hasan 1/33, Mehedi Miraz 1/38) by 8 Wickets

Saleque Sufi