Bangladesh will face West Indies in the final on Friday
Bangladesh beat West Indies for the second time in the tri-series at Malahide Cricket Club at Malahide, Dublin on Monday where their five-wicket win confirmed their final berth with a match in hand. Pacer Mustafizur Rahman was adjudged as man of the match after he picked up four wickets.
Both the sides will face each other in the final on Friday in Dublin.
Bangladeshi bowlers did well once again as they restricted the Caribbean side for 247/9 before their batsmen reached the total in 47.2 overs, sparing 16 balls.
Mushfiqur Rahim and Soumya Sarkar scored half centuries while chasing down the score, while all other top order batsmen made over 20s but none could stretch their innings to a big score which may become a concern ahead of the World Cup despite clinching the match comprehensively.
Mushfiq scored the highest 63, his first ODI fifty this year, while Soumya, who looked fluent once again, got out after making 54.
Soumya and Tamim, who made a big opening stand in their first match against the same opponents, made a confident start in pursuit of 248 but Tamim’s soft dismissal ended the partnership on 54.
Tamim came down the wicket against right-arm off-spinner Ashley Nurse but missed the flight and wicketkeeper Shai Hope stumped him for 21 in the ninth over.
Shakib joined Soumya and added 52 but he was dismissed by the same bowler after scoring 29 as Roston Chase held an easy catch.
Soumya followed him two balls later and Tigers seemed to be in an awkward position against the run of play but experienced Mushfiq and Mohammad Mithun weathered the storm with a 83-run stand.
But the pair must thank lackluster West Indies fielding which resulted in a few dropped catches but a wild throw from Windies captain Jason Holder saved Mithun from an easy run-out when he was on seven.
However, despite getting a few opportunities, Mithun could not reach a fifty and ultimately was bowled by Holder after scoring 43.
Mushfiq and another experience batsman Mahmudullah, who remained not out on 30, added another 50 to navigate the side to the shore but Mushfiq failed to carry the side home as he was dismissed in the 47th over off a Kemar Roach delivery leaving the side eight runs away from win.
West Indies off-spinner Ashley Nurse was the pick of their bowlers returning with 3/53.
Earlier, West Indies elected to bat first after winning the toss as both teams made one change to their playing eleven. Pacer Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi made his ODI debut for the Tigers while Raymon Reifer made his debut for the Windies.
Sunil Ambris, the centurion in the previous match, was the first batsman to get out after scoring 23. Opener Shai Hope (87) and captain Jason Holder (62) scored valuable half centuries for the Windies to help their side posit a competitive total. However, losing regular wickets kept their run rate in check and eventually, they finished their innings putting 247 on the scoreboard.
Source: Dhaka Tribune.
