Rishad Hossain’s Six-Wicket Masterclass Leads Bangladesh
Bangladesh registered a thumping 74-run victory over the West Indies in the opening ODI of the home series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain produced a career-defining spell of 6 for 35, inspiring Bangladesh to a commanding win after setting a modest total of 207. The performance marked a vital turnaround for the hosts, who had been struggling for form in recent months, and rekindled the team’s ODI confidence on home soil.
Batting Anchored by Hridoy and Debutant Mahidul
Bangladesh began their innings cautiously after losing openers Saif Hassan and Soumya Sarkar within the first three overs. Facing a disciplined West Indies pace attack led by Jayden Seales, the home side found it difficult to score freely on a sluggish Dhaka surface.
Towhid Hridoy and Najmul Hossain Shanto steadied the innings with a crucial 71-run stand for the third wicket. Their partnership brought much-needed calm to the innings. Shanto contributed 32 off 63 balls, while Hridoy reached a well-deserved half-century, scoring 51 from 87 deliveries. Despite the slow run rate, both batters displayed maturity and composure, ensuring Bangladesh didn’t suffer a middle-order collapse.
As the innings progressed, Mahidul Islam Ankon, making his ODI debut, showed impressive temperament under pressure. The right-hander crafted a patient 46 off 76 balls, anchoring the lower middle order and building towards a competitive total.
After Hridoy’s dismissal, the scoring rate dipped significantly. The team managed only three boundaries between overs 11 and 36. However, Rishad Hossain’s late cameo proved vital — his 26 off just 16 balls, featuring two sixes and a four, pushed Bangladesh past the 200 mark. His contribution with the bat, though brief, was instrumental in setting a defendable total of 207.
Rishad Hossain Wreaks Havoc with the Ball
When West Indies began their chase of 208, they looked in control early on. Openers Brandon King and Alick Athanaze added 51 for the first wicket, attacking bowlers with confidence. King struck Taskin Ahmed for a majestic six, while Athanaze hit three boundaries and a six off Tanvir Islam in an expensive over.
But once Rishad Hossain was introduced into the attack, the momentum shifted dramatically in Bangladesh’s favor. The leg-spinner broke the opening partnership in his first over, trapping Athanaze lbw for 27. He followed up with the dismissal of Keacy Carty, who edged a delivery to slip after struggling for 30 balls.
Rishad’s breakthrough came in the 22nd over when he dismissed the dangerous Brandon King for 44, caught behind by wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan after a fizzing leg-break. Two balls later, he removed Sherfane Rutherford for a duck with another perfect leg-break that kissed the edge.
Rishad’s dominance continued as he completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Roston Chase for six. In doing so, he became the first Bangladeshi leg-spinner to take a five-wicket haul in ODIs and only the second leg-spinner in the world to claim the first five wickets of an ODI innings, after Sri Lanka’s Jeffrey Vandersay.
The 22-year-old then returned to finish the job, taking his sixth wicket by dismissing Jayden Seales, as Mehidy Hasan Miraz took a sharp catch at slip. His final figures of 6 for 35 made it one of the most memorable spells by a Bangladeshi spinner in recent times.
West Indies Collapse Under Pressure
From 51 for 0, West Indies collapsed to 133 all out in just 39 overs. Rishad’s magical spell was well-supported by the rest of Bangladesh’s bowlers. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, leading the team as captain, contributed with two important wickets — including that of opposing skipper Shai Hope — while Mustafizur Rahman chipped in with two late strikes to clean up the tail.
For West Indies, Brandon King’s 44 and Alick Athanaze’s 27 were the only notable contributions. The middle order, which included Chase, Rutherford, and Hope, crumbled under the relentless pressure created by Bangladesh’s disciplined spin attack.
Bangladesh Captain Mehidy Hasan Praises Team Effort
After the game, Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz expressed his delight at the team’s comeback performance. “We played the last five matches but couldn’t win, but we believed that we could come back strongly. The boys played really well. Credit to Shanto, Hridoy, and the debutant — they played with great temperament. In the end, Rishad’s knock and bowling were outstanding,” Mehidy said.
The captain also emphasized that the team’s focus was on rebuilding momentum in ODIs after playing mostly T20 series in recent months. “We have to play positively and get runs. Hopefully, more series will come next year, and we’ll continue to grow as a team,” he added.
West Indies Look to Regroup After Crushing Defeat
West Indies captain Shai Hope admitted his side was outplayed but remained optimistic about bouncing back. “Tough one. We’ve got to put this behind us. They bowled really well in the middle overs and stopped the flow of runs. We had a good start, but we didn’t build on the foundation. We need to adjust and find ways to beat Bangladesh,” Hope said after the loss.
The visitors will have just two days before the next ODI, giving them limited time to regroup and adapt to the slow, turning Dhaka pitch — a surface that heavily favored Bangladesh’s spin attack.
Rishad Hossain: Bangladesh’s Emerging Match-Winner
Rishad Hossain’s six-wicket haul marked a defining moment for Bangladesh cricket. Once viewed primarily as a T20 leg-spinner, Rishad is now proving his value in the 50-over format. His control, variation, and aggression with the ball give Bangladesh a new dimension in limited-overs cricket — something the team has long lacked.
His performance also highlights Bangladesh’s growing emphasis on developing young spinners capable of winning matches against top international sides. For years, Bangladesh relied on left-arm orthodox spinners, but Rishad’s success could inspire a new generation of leg-spinners to emerge.
Bangladesh Regain Momentum and Confidence
This victory was particularly crucial for Bangladesh after a string of disappointing results in recent months. The team had endured five straight defeats across formats, but the win over West Indies reminded fans of Bangladesh’s potential, especially in home conditions.
For a side preparing for future international series and the next ICC tournament cycle, this result offers both relief and confidence. The performance of debutant Mahidul Islam, the composure of Towhid Hridoy, and the brilliance of Rishad Hossain collectively signaled that Bangladesh’s next generation of cricketers is ready to take charge.
Bangladesh’s victory over West Indies was more than just a win. The match showcased the team’s resilience, emerging talent, and tactical adaptability. Rishad Hossain’s remarkable six-for not only sealed the victory but also reaffirmed Bangladesh’s reputation as one of the most dangerous teams at home.
As the series progresses, Bangladesh will look to build on this momentum and finish the year on a high. With their young players stepping up and the leadership of Mehidy Hasan Miraz showing results, Bangladesh seem ready to redefine their identity in ODI cricket once again.