Bangladesh win to end nine-year drought

Bangladesh held off a late charge from the West Indies to claim a series-clinching 18-run win in the decisive third and final match of their one-day international duel at Warner Park in St Kitts.

After Tamim Iqbal's second hundred of the series and a quickfire unbeaten half-century by Mahmudullah paced the visitors to a formidable 6-301, the hosts were restricted to 6-283 in reply despite a rampaging unbeaten 74 off just 41 balls by Rovman Powell.

It was Bangladesh's first series win outside of Asia for nine years, set up by their highest total in an ODI against the West Indies.

Tamim's confident 103 off 124 balls with seven fours and two sixes again provided his team with a solid foundation, his innings lifting his tally in the three matches to 287 runs at an outstanding average of 143.5.

He was the obvious choice as both man of the match and man of the series.

"We put a lot of effort in this series after the disappointments of the Test matches," said Tamim.

"I was required to bat long and was able to do it successfully. Patience is the key to get runs on the pitches we had in this series, especially in Guyana."

As in the first two ODIs, Tamim found a reliable partner in Shakib Al Hasan, the pair putting on 81 runs for the second wicket.

And Bangladesh cut loose over the final 20 overs as 150 runs were plundered in that period, thanks in the main to the unbridled aggression of Mahmudullah (67no from 49 balls).

With a rejuvenated Chris Gayle anchoring their reply, the West Indies remained on course for the daunting target until the big left-hander fell for 73 off 66 balls, a vintage Gayle knock that included five sixes.

From there the innings stalled fatally as Shai Hope occupied 94 deliveries in getting to 64 and by the time he fell, the Windies had left themselves with too much to do notwithstanding Powell's effort.

Powell struck four sixes and five fours in his hurricane knock but Bangladesh did not buckle under the assault.

Both teams turn their attention to a three-match T20 series beginning in St Kitts on Tuesday and concluding at the weekend in Fort Lauderdale in the United States.