Bangladesh Vs Windies: I Think it Was a Professional Performance From the Boys - Mashrafe Mortaza

Bangladesh led by Mashrafe Mortaza won the third and final One-day International (ODI) against Windies at St. Kitts in Basseterre by 18 runs to clinch the series 2-1.

Well, it was a great knock by Tamim Iqbal of 102 runs which helped Bangladesh post a competitive total of 301 on the board.

Moreover, Mahmudullah Riyad also played a great knock of 69 off 45 deliveries. Windies was interested in the chase for the most part of the 50 overs.

Chris Gayle and Rovman Powell chipped in with useful half-centuries. However, the visiting bowlers held their nerves and sealed the match by 18 runs.

The match in a gist:

After batting first Bangladesh got off to a steady start. Tamim Iqbal played the role of a sheet anchor. The southpaw scored his second century of the series. He wasn’t at his swashbuckling best.

Instead, he accumulated the runs quite brilliantly and was eventually dismissed after facing 124 deliveries. The middle overs saw Windies making a comeback.

However, Mahmudullah and skipper Mashrafe Mortaza struck some exceptional shots which helped Bangladesh post a strong total of 301.

Mahmudullah remained unbeaten on 67 off 49 deliveries. Skipper Mortaza chipped in with 37 off 25 deliveries. Windies had to bat pretty well to ensure they chased the total down.

Chris Gayle looked in great touch from the outset. He struck some big sixes and raced his way to 73 off 66 deliveries. He was eventually dismissed on 73 after smashing six fours and five sixes. Shai Hope also played steady innings of 64.

However, it came in 94 deliveries which got their required rate over the 10 runs mark.

It was a whirlwind knock from Rovman Powell, who kept them in the game. It was some sensation hitting by the powerful batsman. He smashed his way to 74 off a mere 41 deliveries.

His innings included five fours and four sixes. Moreover, he kept losing his partners at the other end which didn’t really allow him to chase the target down.

This is what the winning skipper Mashrafe Mortaza said at the post-match presentation:

“Cricket is a mental game. We lost the last ODI, and that too after having the game in our bag for 99 overs, but today I think it was a professional performance from the boys,” Mortaza said.

“Boys are in good touch. Tamim, Shakib and Mushy played really well. Now the juniors have to step up and take responsibility. With the T20I series coming up, it won’t be easy to play against a side like Windies,” Mortaza further maintained.