Jubayer Tanin, from Chattogram
After winning the toss against Bangladesh and opting to bat first in the first T20I at Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram, West Indies clearly struggled early. At 82, they were three down. The Bangladeshi bowlers were dominant until the death overs. In the middle overs, the Caribbean side was 75 for 3, having scored 35 without loss in the powerplay.
From there, the West Indies’ power hitters took charge. In the death overs, they added 55 runs without losing a wicket. In the final over, Rovman Powell struck Tanzim Hasan Sakib for three consecutive sixes. Powell, who had struggled initially, ended unbeaten on 44 off 28 balls. In his last 10 deliveries, he scored 35 runs.
Captain Shai Hope then unleashed his bat, playing a 46 not out off 28 balls. On his fourth ball, he greeted Rishad Hossain with two consecutive sixes.
In the penultimate over, Mustafizur Rahman, who had bowled well with figures of 3-0-10-0, went for 14 runs. Powell picked him apart, hitting a 102-meter six over deep mid-wicket. Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Rishad Hossain were both targeted. Sakib conceded 47 runs in his four overs, including four boundaries and two sixes, while Rishad finished with one wicket for 47 runs from his four overs. This is where Bangladesh lost control of the innings.
Nasum Ahmed, however, was economical with the new ball. Skipper Litton Das gave him the new ball in the first over and also entrusted him with the key powerplay over, a responsibility usually given to Mustafizur. Nasum finished with excellent figures of 4-0-15-0, including 14 dot balls.
Despite Bangladesh trying to hold the reins, West Indies reached a competitive total of 165 for 3, as commentator Farvez Maharoof had predicted. In the pitch report, the former Sri Lankan cricketer had said a score of 160-165 would be defendable in the first innings, while the average first innings total at the venue is 148.
