Bangladesh delivered a clinical performance with the ball to defeat the West Indies by 27 runs in the second T20I at Arnos Vale Ground, securing the three-match series with one game to spare.
It was Bangladesh’s first T20I series win against West Indies since 2018, reports UNB.
After a disappointing 3-0 loss in the ODI series, the visitors have bounced back emphatically in the shorter format.
Being sent to bat first, Bangladesh struggled to gain momentum on a slow and damp pitch. Captain Litton Das (3 off 10) was the first to depart, stumped off Akeal Hosein, as Bangladesh found themselves in early trouble at 8 for 1.
The top order faltered against the West Indies’ disciplined bowling, with Tanzid Hasan (2), Soumya Sarkar (11), and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (26) failing to capitalize on starts. At 72 for 6 in the 14th over, Bangladesh seemed headed for an underwhelming total.
However, a watchfull knock by Shamim Hossain turned the tide. The left-hander smashed 35 off just 17 balls, including two fours and two sixes, lifting Bangladesh to a defendable 129 for 7 in 20 overs.
Gudakesh Motie took two wickets for the West Indies.
Chasing a modest target of 130, the West Indies' innings was shaken early under the pressure of Bangladesh's disciplined bowling.
Taskin Ahmed struck in his very first over, removing Brandon King (8) and Andre Fletcher (0) to leave the hosts reeling at 19 for 2. Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain then combined to decimate the middle order, with Nicholas Pooran (5) and Rovman Powell (6) falling cheaply.
The hosts' hopes rested on Roston Chase, who fought well with a 32-run knock off 34 balls. Akeal Hosein added a battling 31 off 31 at the tail end, but their efforts were in vain as wickets kept tumbling at the other end.
Taskin returned to claim the final scalp, dismissing Hosein and wrapping up the West Indies innings at 102 in 18.3 overs.
