Bangladesh Falls to West Indies in Opening ODI as Sherfane Rutherford Scores Maiden Century

In a thrilling match at Warner Park, the West Indies registered a five-wicket win over Bangladesh in the opening ODI, ending an 11-match losing streak and taking the lead in the 3-match series, thanks to an impressive performance from opener Sherfane Rutherford.

Rutherford's maiden ODI century, scored at 113 off 80 deliveries, marked a turning point for the West Indies, as he smashed 8 sixes and 7 fours, showcasing aggressive batting skills that captivated the crowd. His partnership with Shai Hope was instrumental in their 99-run stand, setting the tone for the West Indies' chase. Rutherford's innings saw him join an elite group of West Indian batsmen, Chris Gayle, Shai Hope, and Gordon Greenidge, who have all achieved five consecutive 50-plus scores in ODIs.

Bangladesh's Mehidy Hasan top-scored with 74 runs off 101 balls, forming a crucial 96-run stand with Afif Hossain. However, Mehidy's departure hastened the West Indies' comeback, and the match was eventually decided in their favor. Taskin Ahmed and Tanzim Hasan Sakib picked up two wickets each, while Alzarri Joseph bagged one wicket for the West Indies. The win marked a much-needed turnaround for the West Indies, who look to hold onto the momentum in the next two matches.

Rutherford attributed his success to his experience and teamwork, highlighting the strong effort put forth by the West Indies bowlers, who effectively restricted Bangladesh at the death. As the West Indies look to carry this winning spirit forward, fans can expect an intriguing series with Bangladesh vying to regroup and maintain the contest.