DHAKA, Dec 10, 2024 (BSS) - Veteran Mahmudullah Riyad came up as the saviour of Bangladesh as he stroked a valiant 62 to steer the side to 227 all out from shaky start in the second ODI of the three-match series against West Indies at Warner Park in Basseterre, St. Kitts, today.
 
The match turned out to be a 'must-win' game for Bangladesh to keep the series alive following their five-wicket defeat in the first match.
 
Being asked to bat first, Bangladesh were reduced to 115-7 and in danger to be all out before crossing 150-run mark. Mahmudullah and Tanzim Hasan Sakib, who made 45, put on a 92-run partnership for the eighth wicket to give the bowlers something to defend.

Opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim hit 33 balls for 46 with four fours and two sixes following his run-a-ball-62 in the first ODI. He made a blazing start once again, but Soumya Sarkar (2), Liton Das (4), and stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz (1) all fell to a superbly disciplined Jayden Seals for single-digit figures.

Their early dismissal left Bangladesh at 54-3 in 9.5 overs, and when Justin Greaves took the wicket of Tanzid, the Tigers were down to 64-4.
Afif Hossain and Mahmudullah then shared 36 runs before Afif was removed by left-arm spinner GudaKesh Moti for 24. In his next over, Moti dismissed Jaker Ali Anik for 3 to end with 2-36.

Debutant Marquino Mindley then got the better of Rishad Hossain for a duck for his maiden ODI wicket.

Mahmudullah resisted with the ably supported help from Tanzim as the duo frustrated the West Indies bowlers for a long period of time by batting with caution and aggression.

Mahmudullah, who made 50 not out in the first ODI, brought up his second successive and overall 31st fifty off 84 runs with a single off Roston Chase.

But Tanzim missed what could have been his maiden half-century as offspinner Roston Chase removed him with a return catch to break the partnership. Tanzim's 62-ball knock was studded by four fours and two sixes.

Fast bowler Seals then came back in his second spell to get rid of Mahmudullah, who hammered two fours and four sixes in 92 balls. Seal eventually finished with his career-best 4-22.
Shoriful Islam then played a blinder to make 15 off eight before Romario Shepherd dismissed him to wrap up Bangladesh's innings.