A pair of fifties by Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar propelled Bangladesh to win the three-match ODI series against West Indies by 2-1 as the hosts defeated the visitors in the series decider on Friday (Dec 14).
Chasing a small target of 199, Bangladesh reached home in 38.3 overs with eight wickets remaining at Sylhet International Stadium.
Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das built a 450-run opening stand before Liton departed scoring 23.
Soumya Sarkar scored 80 off 81 balls and Tamim Iqbal contributed 81 not out off104 balls.
They added 131 runs in the second wicket stand that set the platform of the Bangladesh’s stunning triumph.
While Soumya fell for a wonderful knock of 80 by 81 balls, Tamim remained unbeaten on 81 by 104 balls. Keemo Paul, the West Indies pacer, took the two wickets of the Tigers which fell in the match.
The Tigers started their innings with a solid opening stand of 45 runs by Tamim and Liton Das. Liton looked confident enough to break the bad patch he has been going through but he managed to add only 23 before falling to Keemo Paul. The right-handed batsman went to pull him but ended up with a top edge. Rovman Powell took an easy catch to end the innings of Liton.
After losing Soumya with 23 more runs requiring, Tamim and Mushfiqur Rahim finished the job in style with 69 balls remaining.
Earlier in the match, the visiting West Indies posted 198 for nine on the board thanks to an unbeaten ton (108) by Shai Hope who had also hit a century in the second match of the series in Dhaka.
While Miraz recorded his career-best bowling figure in ODIs taking four wickets for 29 runs in West Indies innings, Mashrafe and Shakib took two wickets each.
The Tigers managed to restrict West Indies to 198 runs which set the platform for the hosts to win the consecutive second ODI series victory over the Caribbean boys.
In the series opener, Bangladesh beat the visiting team by five wickets. But in the second match, the Caribbean boys bounced back.
As the ODI series has ended, both teams will lock horns in a three-match T20I series.
The first match will take place in Sylhet on Dec 17 while the remaining two matches will be held in Dhaka on Dec 20 and 22 respectively.
