West Indies Breaks Bangladesh’s ODI Winning Streak.

Jayden Seales’s incisive opening spell, dismantling Bangladesh’s top order, laid the foundation for a resounding West Indies victory in the second ODI at Warner Park. Seales, stepping in for the rested Alzarri Joseph, exploited the conditions expertly, capturing three crucial wickets and setting the tone for a dominant bowling performance that restricted Bangladesh to a modest 227. This clinical display with the ball was complemented by a commanding batting performance, spearheaded by Brandon King’s elegant 82, which ensured the West Indies comfortably chased down the target with seven wickets in hand and more than 13 overs to spare. The victory not only secured an unassailable 2-0 series lead for the West Indies but also marked their first ODI series triumph against Bangladesh in a decade, ending a streak of 11 consecutive losses against the Tigers.

Seales’s impact was immediate and profound. After Bangladesh’s brisk start, fueled by Tanzid Hasan’s aggressive strokeplay against debutant Marquino Mindley, Seales entered the attack and promptly disrupted their momentum. He induced a leading edge from Litton Das, followed by a dismissal of captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who was bowled off an inside edge while attempting to leave a delivery outside off stump. These early breakthroughs, combined with the subsequent dismissal of Tanzid Hasan, who was caught after a promising start, pegged back the Bangladesh innings significantly. The pressure exerted by Seales created opportunities for other bowlers, leading to a middle-order collapse orchestrated by Gudakesh Motie and Mindley, who secured his first international wicket.

Despite the top and middle-order struggles, Bangladesh managed to salvage their innings through a record-breaking eighth-wicket partnership between Mahmudullah and Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Their 92-run stand, characterized by Mahmudullah’s calculated aggression and Sakib’s composed support, provided a much-needed boost to the Bangladesh total. However, the resurgence was ultimately insufficient, as Roston Chase broke the partnership by dismissing Sakib, and Seales returned to claim the crucial wicket of Mahmudullah, bringing the innings to a close at 227. Seales finished with impressive figures of 4-22, showcasing his ability to exploit favorable conditions and dismantle batting lineups.

The West Indies’ chase was characterized by a controlled and assertive approach, exemplified by the opening partnership between Brandon King and Evin Lewis. King, in particular, showcased his elegant strokeplay, accumulating runs with ease and reaching his half-century in just 52 balls. Lewis provided solid support, but fell just short of a half-century, giving a simple return catch to Rishan Hossain. Despite Lewis’s dismissal, the West Indies maintained their momentum, as Keacy Carty joined King to construct a brisk partnership that further solidified their control over the chase.

Although King was dismissed shortly before reaching a well-deserved century, his contribution had effectively paved the way for a comfortable West Indies victory. Carty’s fluent 45 provided further impetus to the innings, leaving captain Shai Hope and the in-form Sherfane Rutherford to complete the formalities. Their unbroken partnership of 33 ensured a comprehensive seven-wicket victory, highlighting the West Indies’ dominance in both facets of the game.

This convincing victory underscores the West Indies’ resurgence in ODI cricket and their ability to perform consistently against a strong opponent. The blend of youthful exuberance and experienced leadership has provided a winning formula, allowing them to overcome a long-standing losing streak against Bangladesh and assert their dominance in the series. The performance of Jayden Seales, in particular, highlights the depth of talent within the West Indies bowling attack, while Brandon King’s elegant batting display reinforces the team’s capability to chase down targets with confidence and composure. This victory not only secures the series but also instills confidence and momentum as they look ahead to the final ODI and future challenges.