Bangladesh women's team suffered a nine-wicket loss against West Indies in the first ODI of the three match series at the Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts on Sunday (Jan 19). West Indies captain Hayley Matthews showed a stellar display, as she claimed 2-41 with the ball and smashed an unbeaten 104 off 93 balls in a dominant chase. Chasing 199, West Indies cruised to 202 in 31.4 overs losing only one wicket. Matthews, with 16 boundaries, shared a 163-run opening partnership with Qiana Joseph, who dazzled with a 79-ball 70, including six fours and four sixes.
Earlier, West Indies her bowlers laid the groundwork for the victory by restricting Bangladesh to 198-9. Deandra Dottin led the charge with figures of 3-40, while Matthews and Aaliyah Alleyne contributed with two wickets apiece.
Bangladesh, sent in to bat, struggled to build momentum. Openers Fargana Hoque Pinky (10) and Murshida Khatun (40) fell to Dottin and Matthews, respectively, leaving the visitors at 69-2. Murshida's 53-ball knock featured five boundaries.
Sharmin Akter Supta (42) and captain Nigar Sultana Joty (14) tried to stabilize the innings with a 46-run third-wicket partnership, but their dismissals at 123-4 shifted the momentum in West Indies' favour.
Sobhana Mostary (35) and Shorna Akter (29) offered resistance with a 54-run fifth-wicket stand, briefly reviving Bangladesh's hopes of a competitive total. However, both fell within one ball of each other, and that triggered a collapse that saw the final four wickets tumble for 20 runs.
In a bid to secure a direct spot in this year's ICC Women's World Cup in India, the Tigresses need to win remaining two ODIs to leapfrog New Zealand.
