West Indies ODI series whitewashed by Tigers

Half-centuries from Junaid Siddique and Mahmudullah led Bangladesh to a three-wicket victory, and a 3-0 cleansweep of the one-day international series over West Indies early today. Siddique struck six fours in 55 from 73 balls, and Mahmudullah, who was named man-of-the-match, hit two fours and one six in an unbeaten 51 from 70 balls to help Bangladesh overhaul a victory target of 249 in the third and final ODI at Warner Park. Mahmudullah made sure of victory when he flicked a delivery from Kemar Roach through square leg.

Bangladesh won the opening match in Dominica last Sunday by 52 runs, and the second match at the same venue on Tuesday by three wickets. Their ODI series victory followed a cleansweep of the preceding two-Test series against a home side decimated by a player boycott.

"After winning the Test series, we were looking forward to this ODI series," said Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan. "It was a total team effort. Every time the team was under pressure, someone was able to put their hands up and do the job. This success in the Caribbean will help to take us to the next level."

Bangladesh dismissed West Indies for 248 in 47.4 overs, after the home team decided to bat. Siddique and fellow opener Tamim Iqbal set Bangladesh on their way with a stand of 54 for the first wicket. But they slid to 133 for five in the 28th over before Mahmudullah joined Mushfiqur Rahim and added 50 for the sixth wicket. It however, took a stand of 49 for the seventh wicket between Mahmudullah and Naeem Islam which virtually pushed the Tigers over the threshold. Earlier, Mahmudullah, bowling his off-spin, along with fast-medium bowler Mahbubul Alam, and left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak all captured two wickets.

The Bangladesh bowlers maintained the pressure throughout, and several West Indies batsmen got starts. Andre Fletcher led the way with 52 from 42 balls, captain Floyd Reifer and his deputy Darren Sammy made 40 apiece.

"I think throughout the series we needed to build more and better partnerships when we were batting," said Reifer. "Whenever we seem to be building partnerships, the guys always seem to be getting out at the wrong time. They needed to carry on at crucial stages in the game." He added: "But we had a young, inexperienced team. We have got to continue to play hard, keep talking more about the game, and looking back at our mistakes.


"All the games were very close, and it was just that we kept making crucial mistakes at crucial times." Bangladesh restricted West Indies to 10 for two in the fourth over before Dowlin and Andre Fletcher put on 76 for the third wicket. Fletcher reached his 50 from 40 balls, when he slogged Abdur Razzak over mid-wicket for his eighth four in the 14th over, after he had taken a four and a six off the third and fourth balls of the same over. Bangladesh then made West Indies wobble on 124 for five in the 28th over, but were revived when Reifer and Sammy added 64 before they were among a cluster of wickets that fell in the last 15 overs.