Bangladesh captain Mehedi Hasan Miraz heaped praises on West Indies batters—Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford—after five-wicket defeat in the first ODI of the three-match series at the Warner Park on Sunday.

"[On their total] we were satisfied. 294 is a very good score on this kind of pitch. Credit to them, especially Hope and Rutherford. They got a partnership on this wicket. It was a tough day for our bowlers," said Miraz during post-match presentation ceremony. 

"We started really well, especially Nahid and Taskin and Tanzim, they bowled really well. But after that we didn't bowl well in the middle overs, we didn't get wickets. It can happen, but still wicket was looking good and they played well," he added.

A superb maiden hundred from Sherfane Rutherford led the West Indies to comfortable victory.

Rutherford, playing in his 10th ODI, slammed seven fours and eight sixes in his 80-ball innings of 113 which ended with West Indies just seven runs short of completing the highest ever run chase on the ground.

The 26-year-old, who was named player of the match, came to the crease with West Indies 94-3 chasing the 294-6 that Bangladesh posted in their 50 overs.

He added 99 for the fourth wicket with captain Shai Hope who made 86 from 88 balls, before drilling off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz down the throat of Jaker Ali at midwicket.

Rutherford then partnered up with Justin Greaves (41 not out) to add 95 for the sixth wicket, taking West Indies to the brink of victory.

"I think he's really improved his batting," said Hope of his match-winner.

"We ask for consistency, we always speak about it, and he's showing that. He strikes the ball really well and the hard work is paying off in the middle. He was disappointed not to finish the game."
Miraz promised better performance in the next two games of the series.

"We'll learn from so many things. We made some mistakes. We'll focus on how to get better in the next matches. We have two matches left, so I think we have a good chance," he said.

The second match will take place at the same venue tomorrow.