Spin once again decisive as Bangladesh complete series sweep

Taijul Islam the hero

Spin has been the key ingredient for Bangladesh during this ODI series and it proved that way again in the final match of the series as slow left-armer Taijul Islam was the match-winner.

It may have been Taijul's first game of the series, but the 30-year-old certainly warranted his call-up with an eye-catching performance that netted him impressive figures of 5/28 and the Player of the Match award.

And it was big wickets that Taijul picked up, with the spinner dismissing openers Brandon King (8) and Shai Hope (2) during a superb opening spell and then returning later to claim middle-order batters Rovman Powell (18), Keemo Paul (6) and Nicholas Pooran (73).

Skipper shows fight for West Indies

The West Indies needed to show some fight with the bat and skipper Nicholas Pooran did just that with an excellent knock of 73 that netted his ninth ODI half-century.

While the half-century was the slowest in his career, Pooran's cautious approach was exactly what his side needed at the time as he came to the crease 16/3 and at least helped West Indies post a respectable score of 178 that gave the bowlers something to bowl at.

Caribbean consolation for Bangladesh

The tour of West Indies has been a disappointing one for Bangladesh, but they can take solace from an inspired performance during the ODI component of the tour as they clinched a 3-0 series sweep without star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.

Skipper Tamim Iqbal led from the front with a total of 117 runs from three knocks and his efforts allowed him to claim the Player of the Series award ahead of leading wicket taker Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who took seven wickets from the three matches.

But it was an excellent team performance from the entire Bangladesh squad and will give them plenty of confidence ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia later this year and the 50-over World Cup in India next year.