Rishads explosive finish - West Indies spinners make history

A brilliant late cameo from Rishad Hossain helped Bangladesh post 213 for 7 against the West Indies in the second ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur.

Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz won the toss and opted to bat first, but his side struggled early on against the Caribbean spinners on a turning Mirpur wicket.

Opener Saif Hassan managed just 6 runs before falling to Akeal Hosein, hitting one six but failing to rotate the strike. Coming in at No. 3, Towhid Hridoy joined Soumya Sarkar, and the pair added some stability, guiding Bangladesh to 40 runs in the powerplay. However, both Hridoy (12) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (15) fell in quick succession, leaving the hosts under pressure.

Soumya continued to hold one end together, but wickets kept tumbling. Mahidul Islam Ankon departed for 17 as Bangladesh slumped to 96 for 4. Soumya eventually perished for 45 off 79 balls, an innings that included three fours and a six.

To maintain the left-right combination, Nasum Ahmed came in next but could add only 14 runs before being dismissed after hitting one six.

Nurul Hasan Sohan then played an attacking knock, adding valuable runs alongside captain Miraz. Sohan scored 23 off 24 balls with two fours and a six before being caught off Gudakesh Motie.

That brought Rishad Hossain to the crease — and he shifted the momentum decisively. The leg-spinning all-rounder smashed 39 not out off just 14 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes, including 18 runs in a single over from Motie. Miraz remained unbeaten on 32 as Bangladesh finished on 213 for 7 after 50 overs.

On a day dominated by spin, West Indies’ bowlers set a new record for the most overs bowled by spinners in an ODI innings. Alick Athanaze impressed with 2 for 14 from 10 overs, while Akeal Hosein also took 2 wickets, and Gudakesh Motie claimed 3 scalps.