Tamim's ton hands Bangla series victory

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 301 for six, the hosts were restricted to 283 for six in reply despite a rampaging unbeaten 74 off just 41 balls by Rovman Powell.

With the series all square following the hosts' thrilling three-run win in the second match under lights in Guyana on Wednesday, Bangladesh set the pace in the decider with their top-order batting doing a good job.

Tamim's confident 103 off 124 balls with seven fours and two sixes again provided his team with a solid foundation. Tamim's innings lifted 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 disappointment 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.

They picked up the pace from a stuttering start in the manner of their previous second-wicket partnerships in the series before Shakib eventually departed off the bowling off Ashley Nurse, who together with fellow spinner Devendra Bishoo put a brake on Bangladesh's progress through the middle of the innings.

However they were able to cut loose in the final 20 overs as 150 runs were plundered in that period, thanks to the unbridled aggression of Mahmudullah. His adventurous knock of 67 not out from 49 deliveries included five fours and three sixes.

Tamim eventually reached his 11th ODI hundred in the 38th over but didn't get much further as a miscued sweep off Bishoo offered a catch to Powell at backward square-leg.

But with Mahmudullah still blazing away, Bangladesh were able to cross the 300-run mark in the final over of the innings.

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, Mehidy Hasan taking the catch at long-on in Rubel Hossain's first over.

Brief scores: Bangladesh: 301/6 in 50 overs (Tamim Iqbal 103, Shakib Al Hasan 37, Mahmudullah 67, Mashrafe Mortaza 36; Jason Holder 2-55, Ashley Nurse 2-53) bt West Indies: 283/6 in 50 overs (Chris Gayle 73, Shai Hope 64, Hetmyer 30, Rovman Powell 74 not out; Mashrafe Mortaza 2-63).