KINGSTOWN: Bangladesh secured a hard-fought seven-run victory over West Indies in the first T20I of their three-match series at the Arnos Vale Stadium on Sunday.
The visitors defended a modest total of 146/7, with Hasan Mahmud producing a brilliant final to seal the victory.
With West Indies chasing a challenging target, the match seemed to be slipping away from Bangladesh, with Rovman Powell stirring up the home crowd with a stunning innings.
Powell smashed 60 off 35 balls, including five fours and four sixes, to bring West Indies back into contention from a precarious position at 61 for seven in the 12th over.
A crucial eighth-wicket partnership of 68 runs in 38 balls between Powell and fellow all-rounder Romario Shepherd (22) turned the tide in West Indies’ favor.
Despite Shepherd’s dismissal late in the 19th over, Powell remained at the crease and, with just nine runs needed for victory, the game hung in the balance as Mahmud took over the bowling crease for the final over.
The Bangladesh seamer responded to the pressure with remarkable composure, dismissing Powell off the third ball with a catch behind the stumps from skipper Litton Das.
Mahmud then sent Alzarri Joseph packing for a duck two balls later, bowling it to leave West Indies needing 9 runs with just one wicket remaining.
McCoy, who had taken his 50th T20I wicket earlier, was stuck at the non-striker’s end, unable to prevent defeat.
Earlier in the match, West Indies left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein made an excellent effort with the ball, conceding just 13 runs in four overs and taking two wickets.
McCoy finished with two wickets for 30 runs, but it was Bangladesh’s late comeback that tilted the game in their favor after a slow start.
Bangladesh, having been restricted to 96 for five in the 15th over, saw late contributions from Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain and Mahedi Hasan to increase their total.
Opener Soumya Sarkar played a key role, top-scoring 43 runs to anchor the innings.
Hasan Mahmud, who followed up his crucial unbeaten 26 with a stellar bowling performance of four wickets for 13 runs, was named “Man of the Match”.
