Bangladesh crushed West Indies by 179 runs in the third ODI of the three-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka. Openers Saif Hassan and Soumya Sarkar laid a strong foundation with a brilliant 176-run partnership. Their fiery stand powered Bangladesh to post 296/8 in 50 overs, which is also their second-highest total in ODI history.

Akeal Hosein (4/41 in 10 overs) led the bowling attack for West Indies, while Alick Athanaze took two wickets. In reply, West Indies collapsed for just 117 runs in 30.1 overs. This victory marked Bangladesh’s first ODI series triumph since March last year.

Nasum Ahmed (3/11 in 6 overs) and Rishad Hossain (3/54 in 9 overs) dismantled the West Indies batting lineup with dangerous spells, while Tanvir Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed two wickets each.

Rishad and Nasum Lead Bowling Charge

Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain starred again, claiming three wickets and finishing the series with 12 in total. He became the first Bangladesh bowler since 2015 to take more than ten wickets in a bilateral ODI series. Nasum Ahmed also picked up three wickets, while Tanvir Islam bowled tightly to finish with figures of 2 for 16 from eight overs.

Saif and Sarkar’s Record Opening Stand

Bangladesh got off to a flying start — something rare in this series played mostly on slow, spin-friendly pitches. Saif Hassan (80 off 72 balls) and Soumya Sarkar (91 off 86 balls) matched each other stroke for stroke. Together, they put up Bangladesh’s first century opening stand at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in a decade.

Saif began aggressively, hitting Akeal Hosein for two fours in the first over and lifting him for a six in the next. His elegant inside-out drives set the tone for the innings. Sarkar joined the fun, smashing Roston Chase for two reverse-hit sixes. Saif, meanwhile, stayed focused on straight shots, including a towering six over long-off.

He survived an lbw decision on 28 after a review and made the most of it. Justin Greaves’ introduction ended 59 consecutive overs of spin from the West Indies, but Bangladesh continued attacking. Sarkar greeted him with two fours, while Saif played perhaps the shot of the match — a high, graceful six down the ground.

Sarkar Falls Short of Century

Saif reached his maiden ODI fifty and celebrated Bangladesh’s 100-run stand with back-to-back boundaries. Sarkar, in great touch, hammered Khary Pierre and Gudakesh Motie for more sixes, racing into the nineties.

Chase finally ended the opening partnership in the 26th over when Saif holed out to long-on. Soon after, Sarkar fell for 91, caught at midwicket while going for his fourth ODI hundred.

Middle Order Adds Vital Runs

Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership for the third wicket. However, Alick Athanaze produced a stunning catch to dismiss Shanto, sprinting back and diving full length.

West Indies fought back briefly when Hosein picked three wickets — Mahidul Islam, Rishad, and Nasum — in the 46th over. Still, Bangladesh’s total of 296 looked huge on a slow Dhaka pitch. The innings also featured 14 sixes, equalling their ODI record.

West Indies Collapse Under Pressure

West Indies’ chase never took off. Nasum Ahmed struck early, removing the top order in quick time. He trapped Athanaze lbw in the fifth over and dismissed Ackeem Auguste in the same manner for a duck. Brandon King, who hit a few boundaries, became Nasum’s third victim for 18.

Captain Shai Hope managed only 4 before falling to Tanvir Islam, while Sherfane Rutherford’s poor run continued as Rishad Hossain had him caught at midwicket for 12.

The lower order folded quickly. Rishad bowled Roston Chase for a duck and trapped Gudakesh Motie lbw to wrap up the innings. West Indies were bowled out for 117, handing Bangladesh a massive 179-run win.