MIRPUR, Bangladesh (CMC) — The West Indies produced yet another abysmal performance with the bat on Thursday as Bangladesh recorded a mammoth 179-run victory in the third and decisive One-Day International, which helped them to claim the series.

On a pitch which batters struggled to score on in the first two ODIs, Bangladesh’s openers Soumya Sarkar and Saif Hassan scored impressive half-centuries to lead their side to a formidable 296 for eight at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, after winning the toss and choosing to bat.

In the West Indies run chase only Akeal Hosein, batting at number 10, scored more than 20, while spinners Nasum Ahmed and Rishad Hossain took three wickets apiece, to see the West Indies being spun out for a paltry 117 in 30.1 overs.

The result was Bangladesh’s second-largest win in ODIs when batting first, their largest against the West Indies, and propelled them to a 2-1 series win — their first bilateral ODI series victory in 17 months. It was set up by a splendid opening partnership between Sarkar and Hassan, who put on 176 runs in 25 overs, the second highest for the first wicket in their side’s ODI history.

They set the tone from the day’s very first over when Hassan spanked left-arm spinner Hosein for two consecutive boundaries.

Sarkar joined in the action, spanking Roston Chase for a six and four in the eighth over, which also included a maximum from Hassan, to see Bangladesh race to 60 without loss.

The West Indies did well to restrict Bangladesh in the end, picking up five wickets for just 30 runs in the latter stages of the innings, with Hosein and part-time spinner Alick Athanaze doing the damage.

Hosein finished with figures of 4-41 while Athanaze took 2-37.

Bangladesh’s left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed then almost singlehandedly won the contest for his side in a devastating opening spell.

With just 16 runs on the board he trapped Athanaze lbw, accounted for Ackeem Auguste in the same fashion for a duck following a review, and then bowled Brandon King with a delivery that kept low, to see West Indies slump to 35 for three in the ninth over.

Captain Shai Hope looked uncomfortable during his stay at the crease before he mishit spinner Tanvir Islam and was easily caught at backward point for four, leaving the visitors in even more trouble at 46 for four.

All-rounder Rishad Hossain, who finished with 12 wickets and was named Player of the Series, then claimed the scalps of Sherfane Rutherford for 12 and Roston Chase without scoring, to effectively seal the result.

Hosein hit some lusty strokes in his top score of 27 off 15 balls before he was last out, bowled by Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz as he tried to hit him out the ground.

Ahmed led the way for Bangladesh with 3-11, Hossain claimed 3-54, Islam took 2-16 and Miraz 2-35.