Sports Desk, Bangladesh Global: Despite posting just 207 batting first, Bangladesh beat West Indies in the first ODI of the three-match series by 74 runs on Saturday in Dhaka, with exciting young leg spinner Rishad Ahmed running through the tourists' brittle batting line up.
Rishad became the first Bangladeshi leg spinner to bag a five-for in an ODI, and in fact his figures of 6/35 off 8 overs are the best ever in ODIs by any Bangladeshi spinner, and the second-best ODI bowling figures ever recorded for the country. Ahead of him are two pacers who both recorded figures of 6/26 - Mashrafe Mortaza against Kenya in 2006, and Rubel Hossain against New Zealand in 2012.
In reply to Bangladesh’s 207, the West Indies were wrapped up for just 133 runs. Brandon King posted the highest of 44 runs, but his effort was not enough for his team to chase 207 because of Rishad’s exceptional bowling.
Besides Rishad's heroics, Mustafizur Rahman bagged two wickets for just 16 runs. Earlier, Bangladesh lost the toss and were asked to bat first. But they failed to produce a good score on the board.
Saif Hassan, who has been outstanding lately in T20Is, and Soumya Sarkar, returning to the ODI squad after a gap, failed to form a strong opening stand. Both were dismissed inside 8 runs on the board. However, in the third wicket stand, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy added 71 runs. Shanto fell for 32, but Hridoy hit a fifty, ending on 51 off 90 balls.
Mahidul Islam Ankon, getting his first ODI cap, posted 46 off 76 deliveries. Jayden Seales bagged three for 48 runs. The second and third ODI of the series will take place on October 21st and 23rd at the same venue.
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