The West Indies team entered the three ODI matches after finishing the Test and T20 series with great success. But the hosts suffered a heavy defeat in the very first match.
Due to rain, the match was limited to 41 overs and the West Indian players, who batted first, scored 149 runs for the loss of 09 wickets. In batting, Sharmarh Brooks scored 33 runs, Anderson Phillip 21 runs and Nicholas Pooran scored 18 runs.
Bangladesh scored 151 runs for the loss of only 04 wickets in 31 overs and won easily by six wickets. Mahamudullah 41 runs, Najmul Shanto 37 runs and Tamim iqbal 33 runs. Hossain, Motty and Puran shared one wicket each.
However, captain Nicholas Pooran said after the match that he is hopeful about the tournament as there are two more matches left.
“We know Bangladesh has had us in the last couple of series, but that’s OK. I feel like we’re still gonna win this series.We’ll get the opportunity to come again on Wednesday. We just need to continue believing, staying in the fight.”
The skipper believed that Shai Hope was the best batsman in the team and his early dismissal in the first match was a major reason for the change in the match.
“He’s our best batsman in this format and losing him first ball tough. But we know the guy, we know he’s gonna come back.”
He believes that the team’s fielding is a reflection of the fact that it is currently at a very good level. He asked the management and coaching staff, fans, media and everyone to continue to support the team.
“We definitely have been fielding better as a group – taking catches, diving around. It is a really young team. We reflect a lot, we do a lot of homework and we’re trying to get better as a team and as cricketers.”
As well as,
“You see the guys running around with energy and I can’t ask for any more as a captain on the field. I just hope that we can continue to learn, we could continue to get the support of the management and the coaching staff, the fans, the media, and everyone. Just continue to back us and I believe we will do brilliant things in the future.”
Gudakesh Motie was lucky to play his debut match at home. He took his first ODI wicket there and managed to finish with figures of 1-18 in 9 overs.
“Fantastic getting his opportunity in front of his home crowd and he delivered, unfortunately on the losing side. We’re expecting him to continue to bowl like this, not only in this series but in the future.”