West Indies secured a thrilling victory over Bangladesh by 16 runs in the opening T20I of their three-match series in Chattogram. After choosing to bat first, the visiting team posted a total of 165 runs for the loss of three wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Shai Hope and Rovman Powell played vital roles in their innings, remaining undefeated at 46 and 44 runs, respectively. Bangladesh, in their response, could only muster 149 runs, falling short of the target.
The standout performers for the West Indies were bowlers Jayden Seales and Jason Holder, who each claimed three wickets, effectively dismantling the Bangladeshi batting lineup. A dramatic moment occurred on the last delivery of the match when Bangladesh’s pacer Taskin Ahmed struck a mighty six off Romario Shepherd. However, in a twist of fate, Taskin was declared hit-wicket as his foot had touched the stumps during the shot, resulting in his dismissal and sealing the West Indies’ triumph.
Earlier in the match, the West Indies were struggling at 82 for 3 in the 15th over before Hope and Powell’s partnership, which yielded 83 runs off just 41 balls, significantly boosted their total. This strong showing proved to be crucial as Bangladesh’s batting faltered under pressure, especially during the powerplay where they found themselves at a precarious 42 for 4. Akeal Hosein provided early breakthroughs, while Holder and Seales capitalized on the middle order’s collapse.
Bangladesh did mount a fightback with contributions from Tanzim Hasan and Nasum Ahmed, but it was not enough to challenge the visitor’s lead. With this win, West Indies now have a 1-0 advantage in the series, setting the stage for an exciting second T20I in Chattogram on Wednesday. This match not only highlights the competitive spirit of T20 cricket but also the unpredictability that keeps fans on the edge of their seats.