Clinical Tigers romp to whitewash

A change in venue could not bring a change in the struggling West Indies side's fortunes as a clinical Bangladesh registered their second whitewash over the Caribbean outfit. The Tigers clinched a comprehensive 120-run win in the third and final ODI at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram yesterday.

The series win, sealed in Friday's second match in Mirpur, marked Bangladesh's third consecutive bilateral series win against the West Indies. Sealing the whitewash yesterday also ensured that Tamim Iqbal's long-term captaincy career has gotten off to a spotless start.

The Tigers also equalled their second-longest winning streak against an opposition in ODIs -- eight matches against Zimbabwe. Bangladesh's longest winning streak is of 16 matches, also against Zimbabwe.

Shakib Al Hasan made a big splash on his comeback to international cricket after a one-year ban as he was adjudged the player of the series. He however had to leave the field while bowling his fifth over after suffering a groin injury.

The four big guns in skipper Tamim, Shakib, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad all scored fifties to post their highest ODI total of 297 for six at the ZACS.

In reply, the West Indies batting once again hurt the visitors, as it had throughout the series, and they were bundled out for 177.

Mustafizur Rahman continued his fine rhythm and provided the early breakthroughs by dismissing both the openers Kjorn Ottley and Sunil Ambris with balls shaping into the right-hander.

Mohammad Saifuddin, making a comeback to the side, bagged three and Mehedi Hasan Miraz also bowled well and picked up a couple of wickets as West Indies could not put up a fight. Rovman Powell was again the only significant batsman for the visitors, top-scoring with 47.

Earlier, Bangladesh batted first for the first time in the series but Liton Das struggled was squared up by an Alzarri Joseph delivery that held its line to be trapped leg-before for a duck in the first over of the innings.

Nazmul Hossain Shanto too failed to cash in on his promotion to number three and was dismissed for 20 as Bangladesh were 38 for two inside nine overs.

Since then, Shakib and Tamim started cautiously while keeping the scoreboard ticking with singles as the pair added 93 runs for the third wicket. But Tamim, after reaching his 49th ODI fifty, departed after scoring 64 off 80 balls, which included three fours and a six off the bowling of Joseph.

The departure of the skipper did not hamper Bangladesh much as Mushfiqur joined Shakib, who reached his 47th ODI fifty. In the process, Shakib became the only player to score 6000 international runs and take 300-plus wickets for a country.

Shakib was bowled by Raymon Reifer soon after reaching his fifty. It was then Mushfiqur's turn to reach his 39th fifty before departing for 64, becoming Reifer's second victim.

Since then, it was Mahmudullah who once again showed why he is labelled as the finisher. He realised the urgency of scoring quick runs as Bangladesh added 100 runs in the last 10 overs. Mahmudullah remained unbeaten on 64 off just 43 balls, striking three sixes and as many boundaries and ensuring that Bangladesh post a big total.