Bangladesh posted a total of 321 runs in the third and final ODI against the West Indies at Warner Park in St. Kitts on Thursday, December 12. This is the first time Bangladesh has scored over 300 runs in a match this year. The team featured four players who scored fifties during the innings.
Mahmudullah Riyad and Jaker Ali Anik shared a partnership of 150 runs for the 6th wicket, setting a new record for Bangladesh's highest partnership at this position. This total is also the second-highest team score for Bangladesh against the West Indies, and the highest when batting first. Previously, in the 2019 World Cup, Bangladesh chased and scored 322 runs while at Taunton, establishing their accomplishment.
After scoring 321 runs, Bangladesh fans were hopeful of a victory. The bowlers started well, but both innings ended their dreams of winning. The West Indies won by 4 wickets, with 25 balls remaining. As a result, Bangladesh was whitewashed 3-0 in the three-match ODI series. This marks the first time in 10 years that Bangladesh has been whitewashed by the West Indies in an ODI series.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz acknowledged the team's shortcomings in the loss, stating, "We could have done better with the bowling and we couldn't take wickets in the middle overs - that was the problem for us." He made these comments at the awards ceremony following his first ODI series as captain.
After the whitewash, Miraz spoke about the lessons to be learned from the series, a sentiment he had expressed after the losses in the first two ODIs as well, but this time in a slightly different way. He praised Mahmudullah Riyad for his outstanding innings of 84 not out off 63 balls, saying, "He did very well. He got three fifties in the series, which are good moments for our team. We learn a lot from him."
Despite praising Mahmudullah, Miraz also reflected on his own personal growth and development. He made a promise for the future, saying, "After this series, we have the Champions Trophy ahead of us and we know we have to improve. The hope is that we understand how to improve."
Bangladesh entered the ODI series without several key players. Regular captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto was absent due to injury, along with experienced batsmen Mushfiqur Rahim and Towhid Hridoy. Mustafizur Rahman was on leave for family reasons. The captain shared his thoughts on missing these players, saying, "We did not get several senior players in this series. (Batting at four) I have to take responsibility."
Bangladesh now faces a T20 series, with three matches scheduled in Kingstown on December 16, 18, and 20.
BD-Pratidin English/Mazdud
