Bangladesh register lowest home total in 11 years after top-order collapse

Bangla Press Desk:   Bangladesh were bowled out for 207 in 49.4 overs in the opening match of the three-match ODI series against West Indies at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Saturday.

The total marked Bangladesh’s lowest at home in 11 years while batting for as many overs (49.4).

After being sent in on a tricky wicket, the hosts suffered an early collapse, slipping to 8 for 2 in just 2.1 overs as both openers departed cheaply. Saif Hasan (3) was trapped in front by Romario Shepherd while playing across the line, and Soumya Sarkar (4) pushed a full-length delivery straight to point off Jayden Seales.

Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy then steadied the innings, adding 71 runs off 120 balls for the third wicket. Shanto, who made 32 off 63 with three boundaries, was trapped lbw by left-arm spinner Khary Pierre in the 23rd over, bringing debutant Mahidul Islam Ankon to the crease.

Ankon combined with Hridoy to add another 36 runs as Hridoy reached his 11th ODI fifty. However, his innings ended on 51 off 90 balls (3 fours) when Justin Greaves found his outside edge with a wide delivery in the 35th over.

Ankon went on to play a composed knock of 46 and built another 43-run stand with captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz (17 off 27) before both fell to off-spinner Roston Chase while attempting to accelerate in the latter stages.

Rishad Hossain provided late fireworks with a 13-ball 26 featuring one four and two sixes, striking at 200 to push Bangladesh past the 200-mark. Tanvir Islam also chipped in with a six to help the total.

Jayden Seales was the most successful bowler with 3 wickets, while Khary Pierre made the biggest impact through his tight spell—conceding just 19 runs for one wicket at an economy rate of 1.90, the third-best by a foreign spinner on Bangladeshi soil.

BP/TD