Bangladesh secured a thrilling 7-run victory

Forget the ODI series whitewash, Bangladesh made a fantastic comeback in the T20 format. In the first T20 match in Saint Vincent, Bangladesh set a target of 148 runs for the West Indies and took 7 wickets for 61 runs. The Tigers dominated with the spin of Sheikh Mehedi, putting the West Indies under pressure. However, Rovman Powell tried to turn the match around with some powerful hitting. In the end, Powell’s dream faded as Hasan Mahmud claimed his crucial wicket in the final over, also bowling out Alzarri Joseph. Bangladesh secured a thrilling 7-run victory.

After 13 overs, West Indies were 70/7. To win the match, they needed 78 runs off the remaining 7 overs, with only 3 wickets left. Despite this impossible situation, captain Rovman Powell tried to lead the team to victory, but ultimately, his efforts were thwarted by Hasan Mahmud’s brilliant bowling.

Sheikh Mehedi bowled his full quota of 4 overs, taking 4 wickets for just 13 runs, which is his career-best T20I bowling performance. He was instrumental in putting West Indies in early trouble. Taskin Ahmed had also made a breakthrough at the start, and Sheikh Mehedi quickly picked up four wickets in succession.

After Soumya Sarkar's 43 runs, cameos from Zakir Ali, Sheikh Mehedi, and Shamim Hossain helped Bangladesh set a target of 148 runs at the Arnos Vale Stadium in Saint Vincent. Taskin Ahmed struck early, taking a wicket in the second over. In the next over, Sheikh Mehedi’s brilliant delivery led to Liton Das’s stumping of Nicholas Pooran for just 1 run.

After Johnson Charles was dismissed, Andre Fletcher also fell to a catch off Sheikh Mehedi’s bowling. Mehedi then took the wicket of Roston Chase as well, leaving West Indies reeling at 38/5. In just a few moments, the home team was on the brink of collapse.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib, who had been expensive in his first over, got a breakthrough by dismissing Gudakesh Motie, caught by Liton Das at 6 runs. Rishad Hossain then claimed the wicket of Akil Hossain, and West Indies lost their 7th wicket at a score of 61.

From there, Rovman Powell and Romario Shepherd tried to form a resistance. In two overs from Rishad and Taskin, West Indies gained control of the match. In the 14th over, Rishad gave away 15 runs, and in the following over, Taskin conceded 23 runs. This brought the equation down to needing 40 runs off 30 balls.

Powell played a sensational knock, completing a half-century off just 28 balls. With his captaincy skills, he tried to steer the West Indies to a safe target. With 18 balls left, they needed 20 runs. However, in the very first ball of his over, Taskin Ahmed dismissed Romario Shepherd, and in the 18th over, Taskin delivered another breakthrough by conceding only 2 runs, giving Bangladesh the crucial advantage.

In the end, Bangladesh held their nerve and won the match by 7 runs, marking a memorable comeback in the T20 format.