Bangladesh made a powerful statement in the opening ODI of the 2025 West Indies tour of Bangladesh, defeating the visitors by 74 runs in Dhaka. On a tricky, unusually dark and slow pitch at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Bangladesh posted 207 for 7, before dismantling the West Indies for 133 all out, driven by a historic spell from leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, who claimed 6 for 35. His extraordinary performance not only sealed a convincing win but also etched his name into the ODI record books.
Bangladesh’s Innings: Recovery After Early Wickets
Early Stumbles for the Hosts
Bangladesh’s top order started tentatively, losing early wickets that threatened to derail their innings. The West Indies seamers found movement and lift early on, exploiting the tacky surface and keeping the batters cautious. At 30 for 2, Bangladesh needed a stabilizing partnership to regain control of their innings.
Hridoy and Shanto Steady the Ship
A Much-Needed 71-Run Partnership
The recovery came through Towhid Hridoy (51) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (32), who pieced together a well-constructed 71-run stand. Hridoy was composed and technically assured, rotating the strike effectively while punishing the occasional loose delivery. His ability to anchor the middle overs proved essential in building a platform.
Shanto, meanwhile, played his role with responsibility, nudging singles and preventing pressure from building. Their partnership marked the turning point of the innings, nudging Bangladesh back into competitive territory.
Mahidul Islam Impresses on ODI Debut
A Mature 46 Under Pressure
Bangladesh received another boost from Mahidul Islam, who scored a valuable 46 off 76 balls on ODI debut. Coming in at a crucial juncture, Mahidul showed notable calm, batting with patience and intelligence. His rotation of strike kept the innings alive, and he displayed sound temperament against both pace and spin.
Rishad’s Late Assault Pushes Bangladesh Past 200
With the innings losing momentum again in the final ten overs, Rishad Hossain delivered with the bat as well. His 26 off 16 balls, featuring two sixes, injected much-needed acceleration into Bangladesh’s total. Supported by captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who also chipped in with steady runs, Bangladesh crossed 207, a total that looked modest but was more than competitive on a challenging Dhaka surface.
West Indies’ Run Chase: A Bright Start Quickly Fades
Strong Opening Stand by King and Athanaze
West Indies began their chase confidently. Openers Brandon King (44) and Alick Athanaze (27) negotiated the new ball smartly, putting up a 51-run partnership that threatened to put Bangladesh on the back foot.
Positive Strokeplay in the Powerplay
King set the tone early, launching a towering six off Taskin Ahmed and displaying crisp timing through the off side. Athanaze complemented him with aggression of his own, striking three fours and a six off Tanvir Islam. By the fifth over, West Indies were cruising, appearing poised to chase the target comfortably.
Bangladesh Regain Control
However, the momentum began to shift as Bangladesh’s bowlers tightened their lines. Taskin and Mustafizur made useful adjustments, while captain Mehidy applied pressure with smart field placements. The scoring rate dipped, and the West Indies batters began to feel the squeeze.
Rishad Hossain’s Spell: A Historic, Game-Changing Masterclass
Breaking the Partnership
Rishad’s introduction in the 12th over altered the entire match. With his fourth ball of the day, he trapped Athanaze LBW, breaking the opening partnership. From there, the leg-spinner unleashed a devastating spell that West Indies never recovered from.
Taking the First Five Wickets: A Rare ODI Feat
Rishad proceeded to dismiss Keacy Carty, Brandon King, Sherfane Rutherford, and Roston Chase, taking the first five wickets of the West Indies innings — a feat achieved by only one other leg-spinner in ODI history, Sri Lanka’s Jeffrey Vandersay.
Variety, Drift, and Control
His bowling combined drift, turn, and subtle variations in flight and pace. On a pitch offering erratic bounce and significant grip, Rishad used the conditions expertly, making even set batters uncomfortable. King, after looking fluent, was deceived in flight, while Rutherford and Chase misread sharp turn.
Support from the Spin Unit
While Rishad was the undeniable star, Bangladesh’s other bowlers played their roles effectively:
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz controlled the middle overs and chipped in with crucial pressure spells.
- Tanvir Islam provided tight lines, enabling Rishad to attack from the other end.
- Mustafizur Rahman struck late to remove Romario Shepherd and Justin Greaves, cleaning up the tail.
Sealing the Match
Fittingly, Rishad finished the match by taking the final wicket—dismissing Jayden Seales—and ending with 6 for 35, the best figures of his career and one of Bangladesh’s finest ODI bowling performances in history.
West Indies’ Middle Order Falters
After losing their openers, West Indies needed resilience from their middle order. But with Rishad relentless, none of the batters could settle. Rutherford (7) and Chase (4) fell cheaply, while Carty (2) misjudged a googly early on. Their collapse from 51 for 0 to 84 for 6 sealed their fate, and the rest of the innings unraveled quickly.
Significance of the Victory
Bangladesh Take a 1–0 Lead
This 74-run victory gives Bangladesh an early advantage in the three-match ODI series. With Mehidy Hasan Miraz leading the side to his second ODI win as captain, the team demonstrated both depth and discipline.
Rishad Hossain’s Rising Stardom
New Records for Bangladesh Cricket
Rishad’s performance will be remembered for several milestones:
- First Bangladeshi leg-spinner to take an ODI five-wicket haul
- Second leg-spinner in ODI history to claim the first five wickets of an innings
- One of the most impactful ODI spells by a Bangladesh spinner
His all-round contribution — explosive late-innings hitting and a match-defining spell — highlights his growing importance in Bangladesh’s white-ball setup.
Conclusion
Bangladesh’s victory in the first ODI was built on resilience with the bat, discipline with the ball, and absolute brilliance from Rishad Hossain. From recovering to 207/7 on a difficult pitch to dismantling a promising West Indies chase, it was a complete team performance. With a 1–0 lead in hand, Bangladesh head into the remaining matches with confidence, momentum, and a rising star in Rishad who has firmly announced himself on the international stage.
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