Bangladesh Crush West Indies by 74 Runs as Rishad Hossain Claims 6-35 in ODI Opener

On October 18, 2025, Bangladesh delivered a statement performance, bowling out West Indies for just 133 in 39 overs to win the first ODI by 74 runs at a day-night match in Dhaka. The victory wasn’t just about runs—it was about control, precision, and a spin attack that turned the pitch into a minefield. At the heart of it all? Rishad Hossain, whose 6 for 35 in nine overs wasn’t just the best bowling figures of the match—it was his first five-wicket haul in ODIs, and it shattered West Indies’ fragile middle order like glass.

Spin That Broke the Back of West Indies

West Indies, after winning the toss and choosing to field, never got a foothold. Their openers, Brandon King (44 off 60) and Alick Athanaze (27 off 36), looked composed early, stitching together a 50-run stand in 67 balls. But as soon as the spinners came on, the wheels came off. From 50 for 1, they collapsed to 133 all out, losing their last 10 wickets for just 83 runs. The difference? Bangladesh’s spin trio—led by Rishad—exploited the slow, turning surface with surgical accuracy. No batter could find rhythm. The ball gripped, turned sharply, and bounced unevenly. It wasn’t just pace or bounce—it was deception, patience, and perfect line.

Rishad Hossain was the architect. His leg-spin wasn’t just effective—it was psychological. He bowled with a calmness that belied the pressure, attacking the stumps, drawing forward batters only to see the ball skid through. His sixth wicket, clean bowling Shimron Hetmyer with a ripper that kept low, was the dagger. He finished with a strike rate of 9.0—every over cost less than four runs, and he took a wicket every 8.5 balls. No one in the West Indies lineup could handle him.

Bangladesh’s Batting: Patient, Not Pretty

Bangladesh didn’t set a massive total—but they didn’t need to. Their 207 for 10 in 49.4 overs was built on grit, not fireworks. Towhid Hridoy (50 off 87) anchored the innings with a near-perfect blend of defense and timing, while Mahidul Islam Ankon (46 off 76) added crucial depth. The powerplay was sluggish: just 45 runs without loss in the first 10 overs. The middle overs were even tougher: 88 runs in 30 overs, losing all 10 wickets. It was a grind. But that’s the point. In conditions like these, a competitive total is enough when the bowlers are on fire.

Even the extras told a story: nine byes and wides, a sign of how much the West Indies bowlers struggled to contain. Jayden Seales (3-48) and Roston Chase (2-30) tried hard, but Khary Pierre’s economical 1-19 in 6 overs showed how hard it was to break through. Bangladesh didn’t need to score big—they needed to score enough. And they did.

The Bowlers Who Finished the Job

While Rishad stole the headlines, he didn’t do it alone. Mustafizur Rahman returned with a vengeance—2 for 16 in five overs, clean and clinical. His cutters kept the batters guessing, especially in the death overs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with 1 for 16 in 10 overs, a quiet but vital presence. The spinners didn’t just take wickets—they smothered. West Indies’ middle order, once seen as their strength, looked clueless. No batter reached 30 after the 10th over.

On the field, the umpiring team—Gazi Sohel and Jayaraman Madanagopal as on-field, Chris Gaffaney as third umpire, and Dean Cosker as match referee—kept things smooth. No controversies. Just pure cricket.

What This Means for the Series

Bangladesh now lead the three-match series 1-0. And the momentum? It’s all theirs. West Indies, who’ve lost five of their last nine ODIs against Bangladesh over the past three years, now face a mountain to climb. Their batting, especially against spin, looks dangerously exposed. The subcontinent’s conditions are not kind to teams that rely on power-hitting without footwork. And here, the footwork was absent.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s squad changes—dropping Mohammad Naim and Nahid Rana after the 3-0 sweep by Afghanistan—have paid off. Soumya Sarkar and Mahidul Islam Ankon stepped up. This isn’t just a win. It’s a sign of evolution. They’re no longer just a team that plays well at home. They’re becoming a team that dominates on it.

What’s Next?

The second ODI, scheduled for October 20 in Chittagong, will be a litmus test. Can West Indies adapt? Will they bring in a specialist spinner? Will they change their top order? Bangladesh, meanwhile, will look to maintain their rhythm. If Rishad Hossain keeps this form, he could become the first Bangladeshi bowler since Shakib Al Hasan to take multiple five-wicket hauls in a single ODI series.