A sense of uncertainty, a sense of fatigue had built up in the recent performances of the Bangladesh cricket team. Batting failures, lack of edge in bowling, and the frustration of repeatedly squandering opportunities all combined to leave the gallery in Mirpur feeling somewhat discouraged.
But on that Saturday afternoon, a young leg-spinner, Rishad Hossain, changed the picture.
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This 21-year-old bowler single-handedly changed the story of the match. He turned Bangladesh's low total of 207 into a stunning victory.
Bangladesh won the first ODI against the West Indies by a huge margin of 74 runs, thanks to Rishad's record-breaking performance.
Bangladesh's innings started badly. But in the middle, the old disease returned. After the opening partnership was broken by the openers, Shanta (32), Mehedi Hasan (Mirage 17) and the young Rishad Hossain's stormy 13-ball 26-run cameo at the end pulled the team together.
Bangladesh's innings ended at 207 (all out in 48.1 overs). The runs were not that big, but the wicket was a spin help, which later became the stage for Rishad's reign.
When the West Indies batsmen came out to bat, the start was not bad at all. Openers Brandon King and Kyle Meyers put on an opening stand of 35 runs. But then Rishad came on stage and the momentum of the game completely changed.
His first ball created confusion, the first wicket in the third over. After that, it was like a firecracker with something new in every spell, sometimes a googly, sometimes a topspin, sometimes a short-length inside twist. Result: 6 wickets for just 35 runs in 9 overs.
This statistic is not only the best bowling performance of the match, but also one of the best in Bangladesh's ODI history.
Rishad's victims included West Indies' main batsmen Nicholas Pooran, Shai Hope, Rovman Powell, all of whom fell prey to his spin. His legbreak against Pooran in particular is a classic example; the ball went in and uprooted the middle stumps.
After the match, the captain said, "We see Rishad not just as a spinner, but as a match winner. He proved that today. A win like this will restore our confidence."
Rishad himself said calmly, "I just bowled according to my plan. The wicket was helping. The coach had already said, be patient—the ball will do the rest."
This victory is a great relief for the Bangladesh team. After the recent failures in New Zealand and Afghanistan, such a victory at home has brought life back to the team.
At the end of the first innings, many might have thought that winning the match by 207 runs was impossible. But the story that began to be written from the ninth over of the second innings was not just a match—it became a symbol of the rise of the young generation in Bangladesh cricket.
Rishad took the first wicket in the 9th over. Two more in the second spell in the 15th over. The Caribbean middle order collapsed in the 24th over. In the end, West Indies were all out for 133 runs.
Such a rule of spin is not new in Bangladesh. Shakib, Rafiq, Razzak were there. But the consistent success of leg-spin has not been seen in the past. Rishad Hossain is filling that void, opening a new chapter for Bangladesh with his own hands. This is the biggest win (in terms of runs) against the West Indies in Bangladesh's home ground in the last 7 years.
Rishad is the third Bangladeshi to take 6 wickets in ODIs (previously—Mashrafieh and Shakib).
Cricket analyst Athar Ali Khan said, "Bangladesh has been looking for a quality leg-spinner for a long time. Rishad is filling that void. His bowling is not only controlled but also aggressive."
Bangladesh, 207 in overs (Hridoy 51, Mahidul 46, Nazmul 32, Rishad 26, Miraj 17, Seals 3/48, Chase 2/30, Greaves 2/32.
West Indies, 133 in 39 overs (King 44, Athanase 27, Hoe 15, Rishad 6/16, Mustafiz 2/46. Miraj 1/16, Tanvir 1/46.
Result, Bangladesh won by 74 runs. Man of the Match, Rishad Hossain. Series, Bangladesh lead 1-0 in the 3-match series.
On the other hand, former captain Habibul Bashar reminded that Rishad's performance is not just a day, it is the result of a process. He needs to be given a chance, given time. Only then will Bangladesh rise to new heights.
This match clearly showed that Bangladesh's bowling attack is now more balanced. The off-spin of Mustafizur, Taskin and Tanvir, Mehidy Hasan, and Rishad's leg-spin - this diversity has kept the opposition under pressure.
However, there are still concerns about batting. If Shakib, Tamim, and Mahmudullah do not return to consistency, the challenge will increase in big matches. Still, this win proves that the team has regained confidence. And that is the most important thing.
Rishad, Shanto, Mehedi, Shariful—all under the age of 25. These young men are now the new faces of Bangladesh. Their success means a promise for the sustainability of the country's cricket.
The excitement surrounding Rishad in particular is not just statistics—it is a reflection of a new dream.
As soon as the match ended, only one name spread on social media: "Rishad Hossain."
The audience in the gallery chanted, "Rishadh means wicket!" Twitter and Facebook were flooded with praise—"Bangladesh finally got its own warne."
