Debutants To The Fore As Bangladesh Win First ODI

Debutants To The Fore As Bangladesh Win First ODI

Mushfiqur Rahim (centre) is all smiles following Bangladesh's seven-wicket victory in the first One-Day International against the West Indies

©WICB Media

Bangladesh 201-3 (Tamim Iqbal 58) beat
West Indies 199 by seven wickets
First One-Day International, Khulna
Scorecard

Half-centuries by Tamim Iqbal and Naeem Islam guided Bangladesh to a relatively comfortable seven-wicket win over the West Indies in the first One-Day International in Khulna.

After Sohag Gazi had marked his debut with four wickets to help dismiss the West Indies for 199, Iqbal hit 58 and Naeem was unbeaten on 50 in 79 balls.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy had spoken before the match about how he had set his team the target of winning every game on the tour but their chances of a clean sweep have already gone.

As expected, they made a flying start to their innings as Chris Gayle blasted 35 in 40 balls and Darren Bravo also made 35 but they were stymied by wickets - two of the first four to Gazi, who removed both Gayle and the in-form Marlon Samuels (0).

From 100 for four, the West Indies attempted to mount a recovery but failed to even double their score and were reliant on 36 from Sunil Narine and 25 from Ravi Rampaul to haul from the depths of 133 for eight to a barely competitive 199.

Gazi completed a haul of four for 29 by also removing Devon Thomas (16) and Narine while fellow spinner Abdur Razzak picked up three for 39.

Bangladesh then outgunned the West Indies as opening pair Tamim and Anamul Haque - like Gazi and Mominul Haque, making his debut - smashed 88 in less than 16 overs before Tamim, who faced 51 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes, perished to Narine.

Anamul made 41 in 62 balls, showing plenty of composure and skill on his step up before he was caught and bowled by Sammy but the partnerships kept building.

Naeem added a useful 45 with Nasir Hossain (28) and then captain Mushfiqur Rahim joined him at the crease, staying until the end with an innings of 16 not out in 22 balls.

Naeem anchored the innings nicely at the other end, hitting six fours to hand Bangladesh just their fifth win against the West Indies, reaching their target in 40.2 overs.

The second game in the five-match series is in Khulna on Sunday (2nd December).

© Cricket World 2012