cricbuzz
cricbuzz|30-10-2025
West Indies made a winning start to the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh with a convincing 16-run win. Unbeaten forties from captain Shai Hope (46) and Rovman Powell (44) ensured that the visitors posted a competitive 165/3 before successfully defending the total by bowling Bangladesh out in 19.4 overs for 149.
Opting to bat first, the Windies batters made a cautious start, managing just six runs from the first two overs. Alick Athanaze enjoyed a couple of reprieves - first after Bangladesh missed a chance to run him out with a direct hit and then when a miscued shot landed safely just beyond the circle.
Taskin Ahmed proved wayward in his second over as he bowled three wides and conceded three boundaries that helped the West Indies get cracking.The openers put on a 59-run stand before Athanaze was out bowled attempting a reverse-sweep off Rishad Hossain in the ninth over. The West Indies struck a six in each of the two following overs before Mustafizur Rahman bowled a tight over. The visitors then suffered a double blow as Taskin returned to dismiss both Brandon King and Sherfane Rutherford off successive deliveries in the 13th over.
Skipper Hope kept his side's fight going with back-to-back sixes off Rishad in the following over, and it marked the beginning of a crucial partnership for the West Indies. Bangladesh managed to contain the boundaries and accumulate pressure that culminated in Rovman Powell offering a chance to Tanzim Sakib at short third man, only for it to be put down. It would prove terribly costly for Bangladesh as Powell cut loose by striking four sixes, including a hat-trick of them in the final over.
In pursuit, Bangladesh started positively with Tanzid Hasan striking a six and a four off Akeal Hosein in the first over.
His stay was brief, however, as he was dismissed by Jayden Seales in the following over. There was a brief flow of runs before Bangladesh faltered. They lost three further wickets in the powerplay - that of Litton Das, Saif Hassan and Shammim Hossain - derailing their chase early and leaving them 42/4 after the first six overs.The West Indies maintained their grip on the contest as Bangladesh tottered along before losing another wicket in the form of Nurul Hasan in the ninth over.
There was a brief delay due to a floodlight being out, following which the visitors maintained their dominance. Seales removed Towhid Hridoy, the only batter to offer resistance up until that stage, in the 12th over.There was a fleeting fightback from Bangladesh whilst Sakib and Nasum Ahmed were at the crease. The former struck a six and two fours off Romario Shepherd in the 14th over before Nasum struck a four and six in the following over off Pierre. The 40-run stand that offered Bangladesh a glimmer of hope was put to an end by Jasolder, who dismissed Sakib in the 16th.
While Bangladesh continued to find boundaries at odd intervals, wickets also continued to tumble before their innings ended comically with Taskin getting out hit-wicket, having smacked a ball for six.Brief Scores: West Indies 165/3 in 20 overs (Shai Hope 46*. Rovman Powell 44*'; Taskin Ahmed 2-36) beat Bangladesh 149 all-out in 19.4 overs (Tanzim Hasan Sakib 33, Towhid Hridoy 20; Jason Holder 3-31, Jayden Seales 3-32) by 16 runs.
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