West Indies eye whitewash as Bangladesh seek consolation win in 3rd ODI

The West Indies and Bangladesh are set to face off in the third and final ODI of the series, with the hosts holding an unassailable 2-0 lead.

After a five-wicket win in St Kitts and a commanding seven-wicket victory in the second game, the West Indies are now aiming to complete a clean sweep against their Asian rivals.

For the visitors, this match represents an opportunity to salvage some pride.

Having been whitewashed in their last two ODI series against Bangladesh, the Caribbean side is determined to turn the tables.

With this momentum, Shai Hope and his team have their sights firmly set on a 3-0 series win. Hope, speaking at the post-match presentation after the second ODI, expressed the team's ambition, saying, "We haven't been able to win series consistently, so hopefully, we can make it 3-0."

Bangladesh, meanwhile, have struggled in both batting and bowling throughout the series. Their top order has failed to deliver, with early collapses in both games putting immense pressure on the middle and lower orders.

Despite a valiant effort from Mahmudullah and Tanzim Sakib in the second ODI, who stitched together a fighting partnership, Bangladesh's total of 227 was never enough.

The bowlers have also lacked penetration, allowing the West Indies to chase down targets with relative ease.

The West Indies, on the other hand, have looked sharp in all departments.

Pacer Jayden Seales has been a standout performer, dismantling the Bangladeshi batting line-up with four wickets in the second game.

Reflecting on the team's performance, Hope praised his bowlers, saying, "It feels great. I asked the players to get wickets in the powerplay, and they delivered. The way the bowlers bounced back is remarkable, but there's still room for improvement."

This game carries added significance for both teams beyond just the series. With the ICC ODI World Cup qualification race heating up, every match is critical for points.

Currently, Bangladesh sit ninth in the rankings, while the West Indies are tenth. For the Caribbean side, a win here could boost their chances of climbing the rankings, while Bangladesh will be desperate to avoid further humiliation and secure crucial points for World Cup qualification.

As the two teams prepare for the final match, the stakes are clear. Will the West Indies complete the whitewash, or can Bangladesh fight back to avoid it? The answer awaits on the field.