In the first match of the three-match ODI series, West Indies chased down Bangladesh’s target of 294 runs, thanks to Radford’s 113 and Hope’s 86. While Miraz’s 74 and Riyad’s quick 50 were impressive, Bangladesh’s inability to maintain momentum after reducing West Indies to 3 wickets under 100 runs proved costly.
Bangladesh entered international cricket in 1986, while West Indies had already clinched two World Cups (1975 and 1979) and were the runners-up in 1983.
If we consider Bangladesh’s rise from the time they gained Test status (around 2000), we can also say that it coincides with the decline of West Indies. Although West Indies won the 2004 Champions Trophy and two T20 World Cups later, they were nowhere near the dominant team of the 70s and 90s.
Until 2013, West Indies enjoyed a one-sided dominance over Bangladesh. However, since 2009, the balance of power started to shift. Consistent wins against West Indies gradually narrowed the gap between the two teams. Before yesterday’s loss, both teams had won 21 matches each out of 44 encounters. Bangladesh’s most significant achievement was an 11-match unbeaten streak against West Indies from December 14, 2018, to 2022.
It’s remarkable that Bangladesh, a team that once struggled to win against most teams, could maintain such a long unbeaten streak against a four-time World Cup winner like West Indies.
While Bangladesh lost the first match of the ongoing series, winning the series is not impossible. With Miraz batting higher up the order and the bowlers performing consistently, Bangladesh can still turn the series around.
