When Mehidy Hasan Miraz walked out to toss the coin at the Dhaka Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, he didn’t just call heads or tails—he set the tone for Bangladesh’s entire approach in the second ODI of the West Indies tour of Bangladesh, 2025Dhaka. Batting first, Miraz declared his intent: "230 to 240 is a very good score on this wicket." It wasn’t just a number—it was a statement. After failing to complete 50 overs in the first match, Bangladesh was determined to finish what they started. And they did.
Strategic Shifts and a Quiet Debutant
The Bangladesh team made one crucial change: Nasim Ahmed replaced fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, a move that surprised some but made tactical sense. With the pitch offering early turn and low bounce, Bangladesh opted for spin depth over raw pace. Nasim, a left-arm orthodox spinner with a knack for containment, was brought in to exploit conditions that had troubled West Indies’ top order in the previous game. Miraz didn’t mince words: "We have to capitalise. Last match, we couldn’t face 50 overs. If we do that this time, we can get a good total." And capitalise they did. After losing two early wickets, Shanto and Hridoy stitched together a 92-run partnership that steadied the ship. What made it more impressive? One of them was playing his first ODI. No one knew his name before the match. By the 35th over, he was being cheered like a veteran. His 78 off 94 balls—eight boundaries, no sixes—was the kind of innings that doesn’t shout but lingers. The crowd rose for him. The commentary team paused. Even West Indies’ fielders exchanged glances: "Who is this guy?"Global Broadcast Reach and Digital Access
The match wasn’t just a regional event—it was a global spectacle. T Sports, Bangladesh’s official broadcaster, streamed the game live on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, with their app available on both Google Play and the App Store. Their tagline—"Your Home of Live Sports Action"—wasn’t marketing fluff. By 11:00 AM UTC, their YouTube channel had over 1.2 million concurrent viewers. That’s more than the population of several Caribbean nations combined. International fans had options too. Sony Sports Live carried the broadcast across Asia, while the Fancode App Live offered multi-camera angles and real-time analytics. ESPN Africa uploaded match highlights within two hours, and Styx Sports posted a full scorecard with ball-by-ball commentary by 2:30 PM local time. Even Chandan Commentary, a niche YouTube channel known for voice-only cricket narration, hit 800,000 listens by mid-afternoon. Their host, a man named Chandan who speaks with the rhythm of a poet and the precision of a statistician, said: "This isn’t just a game. It’s a coming-of-age moment for Bangladeshi cricket."What’s at Stake Beyond the Scoreboard
This series isn’t just about trophies. It’s about momentum. Bangladesh hasn’t beaten West Indies in an ODI series since 2018. And West Indies, still rebuilding after their 2024 World Cup exit, see this as a chance to prove they’re not fading into irrelevance. Miraz knows it. "We’re not just playing for a win," he said after the match. "We’re playing to show we belong in the top tier." The pitch in Dhaka, damp from overnight rain, played slower than expected. West Indies’ openers struggled against the turn. Their top scorer, Shimron Hetmyer, made 47 off 62 balls—solid, but not enough. Bangladesh’s spin trio—Nasim, Mehidy, and Taijul Islam—combined for 7 wickets. The final scorecard: Bangladesh 241/7 in 50 overs. West Indies 215 all out in 47.4.What’s Next?
The third ODI, if scheduled, will be in Chittagong on October 25. But the real question isn’t about fixtures—it’s about psychology. Can Bangladesh carry this confidence into the next match? Can West Indies find a middle order that doesn’t crumble under pressure? And will that debutant—whose name is Sabbir Rahman, though few knew it at the time—become a regular? The answer might come sooner than we think.Background: A Pattern of Growth
Bangladesh’s rise in ODI cricket has been steady, not sudden. Since 2015, they’ve won 60% of their home ODIs against top-eight teams. In 2023, they beat India in Dhaka. In 2024, they drew with South Africa. Now, beating West Indies in a two-match series would be their biggest statement yet. And it’s not just about wins. It’s about consistency. The fact that they didn’t collapse after losing early wickets? That’s new. That’s maturity. West Indies, meanwhile, are stuck in a cycle: explosive openers, shaky middle order, unreliable finishers. Their last ODI win outside the Caribbean? July 2023, against Ireland. That’s not a fluke—it’s a pattern.Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the debutant who scored 78 in the 2nd ODI?
The debutant was Sabbir Rahman, a 22-year-old top-order batter from Sylhet. He replaced the injured Liton Das and delivered a composed 78 off 94 balls, anchoring Bangladesh’s innings after early wickets. His calmness under pressure and disciplined stroke play earned praise from former captain Mashrafe Mortaza, who called it "the most mature debut in recent memory."
Why was Taskin Ahmed dropped for Nasim Ahmed?
The Bangladesh coaching staff opted for spin over pace after analyzing the pitch conditions and West Indies’ batting vulnerabilities. Taskin, while fast, had struggled with consistency on slow pitches this season. Nasim, a left-arm spinner with a 3.8 economy in domestic cricket, was chosen to exploit the turning track and disrupt West Indies’ middle-order rhythm. The decision paid off with 3 wickets and 27 runs in 10 overs.
How did T Sports manage such massive live viewership?
T Sports leveraged a multi-platform strategy: YouTube for global access, Facebook and Instagram for social engagement, TikTok for short-form highlights, and a dedicated app with zero-buffer streaming. They also partnered with local telecom providers to offer free data access during match hours. This, combined with aggressive pre-match promotion across 12 languages, drove over 4.7 million total views across platforms in the first 12 hours.
What’s the significance of this win for Bangladesh’s World Cup chances?
A series win against West Indies boosts Bangladesh’s ODI ranking points and strengthens their case for direct qualification to the 2027 World Cup. Currently ranked 8th, they’re just 12 points behind Sri Lanka for the 7th spot. Winning this series would push them into the top 7, securing a direct entry and avoiding the qualifying tournament—where upsets are common and pressure is immense.
Did West Indies have any standout performers?
Shimron Hetmyer top-scored with 47 off 62 balls, but no other West Indies batter passed 30. Nicholas Pooran struggled against spin, getting out for 19 off 26. Their top order failed to capitalize on a flat start, and the lower middle order collapsed under pressure from Nasim and Mehidy. Their 215 all out was their lowest total in an ODI against Bangladesh since 2017.
Where will the next match be held, and what’s the weather forecast?
The third ODI is scheduled for October 25 at the Chittagong Cricket Stadium. Weather forecasts predict light showers in the morning, with a 40% chance of rain interrupting play. If the match is shortened, the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method will apply. Bangladesh’s captain has already said they’ll adjust their batting strategy to target 220+ in 40 overs if needed.