Shakib back with a bang to help Bangladesh to easy win in first ODI against West Indies

The Tigers ace Shakib Al Hasan sparkled with four for 8 as the hosts eased to a 6-wicket win against an inexperienced West Indies side with a dominating show with the ball in the first ODI.

Debutant pacer Hasan Mahmud shone with 3 for 28 as the visitors were bundled out for a paltry 122 before the men in red and green sauntered off to the target with 97 balls to spare overs at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium on Wednesday.

It marked a winning start to Tamim Iqbal’s stint in captaincy, handing them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

In gloomy condition after a spell of shower early in the game, Tamim stroked a solid 44 to get the chase off to a watchful start, pairing with Liton Das (14) for a 47-run opening stand.

As the ball gripped on to the surface, the slow bowlers reaped benefits as the Caribbean slow left-arm orthodox Akeal Hosein sent three Bangladeshi batsmen back to the hutch.

Hosein went through the gates of Liton first, then dismissed Nazmul Hossain Shanto for just 1 before Shakib played him on to walk back for 19.

Mushfiqur Rahim (19) and Mahmudullah (9) then saw the team past the finishing line.

Earlier, Shakib marked his return after an ICC ban with four wickets for just 8 runs in 7.2 overs after Tamim opted to field first.

Bangladesh pace spearhead Mustafizur Rahman picked up both Caribbean openers on either side of a rain break to give Bangladesh an ideal start

Joshua da Silva went for 9 when he edged one out to Liton Das who took a spectacular catch at point, while Mustafizur trapped opener Sunil Ambris (7) in front with one that swung in.

Shakib was deadly with the ball, often skidding through and managing his arm-ball right to use the conditions to his benefit.

He ran through the middle order by taking out Andre McCarthy (12), captain Jason Mohammad (17) and Nkrumah Bonner with balls that straightened off the pitch and the runs dried up for the West Indies.

Caribbean topscorer Kyle Mayers (40) then put up a 59-run resistance in the middle order with Rovman Powell (28). The pair played shots all around the wicket with six boundaries and three sixes between them to raise hopes of a fighting score.

But Mahmud returned for his second spell and sent Powell back with his maiden wicket to break the stand, before trapping Raymon Reifer in front with his first two balls to be on a hat-trick. Alzarri Joseph denied him but the hope of a good score for the team virtually ended.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz grabbed another to complement them before Shakib and Mahmud cleaned off the tail from either end.

Adjudged Man-of-the-Match, Shakib later said, “"My focus was to put the ball in the right areas, and let the pitch do the rest of the work. [On batting] To be honest, I don't count the domestic games.

“Outside the dressing room, people may think about those performances. I thought I was batting well, and I got out. I've got to do better in my next game. We were all a bit nervous playing after such a long time, but this [win] will calm us down for the next game."

In the post-match presentation, Tamim said, “"No complaints. We bowled really well. The way Fizz started was very good. Rubel also started very well. The young guy, Hasan, bowled really well. The spinners were also really good. Shakib and Mehidy also bowled really well.

“It was a very difficult wicket to bat on. Even if you wanted to play aggressive shots, you couldn't. Initially when I saw the wicket, I thought it would play really good. There was no sun throughout the day, so you cannot blame anyone.

“On this kind of wicket, you can't go in and swing your bat. I thought whoever batted, batted quite sensibly."

The teams meet on the same ground for the second game on Friday.