Bangladesh edged out West Indies in a thrilling finish, holding on for a 7-run victory in the first T20I at the Arnos Vale Ground. Hasan Mahmud emerged as the hero, defending nine runs in the final over to secure the win in West Indies’ first international match in St Vincent in a decade. Chasing 147, West Indies found themselves in trouble early on, reduced to 38 for 5 after a brilliant four-wicket spell from Mahedi Hasan. Rovman Powell, however, kept the hosts in contention with a blistering 35-ball 60 that included four sixes and five fours, but his efforts fell just short.
In the tense final over, West Indies needed 10 runs to win. Mahmud delivered under pressure, dismissing Powell and Alzarri Joseph to seal the game. Powell was caught behind off the first ball, handing Bangladesh captain Litton Das his fifth dismissal of the match. With eight runs required off the last two deliveries, Mahmud bowled Joseph to clinch Bangladesh’s first T20I win against West Indies in six years, a victory that coincided with the celebration of Bangladesh’s Victory Day back home.
WI vs BAN 1st T20I: Highlights
The game seemed to be slipping from Bangladesh’s grasp midway through the chase. Powell, joined by Romario Shepherd at 61 for 7 in the 12th over, orchestrated a dramatic fightback. The duo hammered 15 runs off Rishad Hossain in the 14th over before Powell exploded in the next over, taking Taskin Ahmed for three sixes in a 23-run assault. Powell’s sixes showcased his range, with one over extra cover, another over point, and a third straight down the ground.
With the asking rate reduced to eight runs per over, Tanzim Hasan conceded 12 runs in the 16th over, during which Powell reached his half-century off just 28 balls. Shepherd joined the act, hitting a six off Rishad, but his dismissal in the 17th over, caught at deep midwicket off Taskin, put the pressure back on West Indies. Shepherd scored a quick 22 off 17 balls, but his departure left Powell with too much to do.
Bangladesh had earlier seized control of the match with a superb start. Taskin Ahmed struck with his first delivery, dismissing Brandon King for a duck. Mahedi Hasan then removed Nicholas Pooran, who was stumped for 1, before accounting for Johnson Charles, who had hit two sixes in a costly over from Tanzim Hasan. Mahedi’s impact continued in his final over as he removed Andre Fletcher, caught behind, and Roston Chase, who inside-edged a reverse sweep. He finished with exceptional figures of 4 for 13, leaving West Indies reeling and setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
After batting first, Bangladesh found themselves in trouble after being reduced to 30 for 3 within the first 6 overs. However, Soumya Sarkar and Jaker Ali’s 57-run stand would give Bangladesh the momentum. The wickets of Sarkar for 43 and Ali for 27 found Bangladesh once again in trouble.
However, Mahedi and Shamim Hossain would get Bangladesh to a good score of 146.
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