Bangladesh’s bowlers produced a superb collective performance to restrict West Indies to 149 for 9 in the second T20 international on 29 October at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium.
After a flying start led by Alick Athanaze and Shai Hope, who both struck rapid half-centuries, the visitors appeared on course for a much bigger total. However, a stunning fightback from Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman turned the innings on its head, keeping the Tigers firmly in the contest and setting up a chase of 150 to stay alive in the three-match series.
Winning the toss, West Indies captain Rovman Powell opted to bat first. The decision looked shaky when Brandon King fell for just one run with the score on one.
Athanaze and Hope quickly steadied the innings, counter-attacking with intent. Their partnership flourished through the Powerplay, taking the team to 50 for 1 after six overs. Both batters reached fifties — Athanaze hitting 52 from 33 balls (five fours, three sixes) and Hope making 55 off 36 (three fours, three sixes) — as West Indies raced to 106 for 1 and appeared poised for a total well above 170.
Bangladesh’s revival began with Nasum Ahmed, who removed Athanaze in the 12th over and bowled Sherfane Rutherford with the very next delivery. His double strike broke the momentum, and soon wickets began tumbling.
Within the space of just 12 runs, the Tigers captured five wickets as the visitors crumbled from 106 for 1 to 118 for 6. Rishad Hossain chipped in by dismissing captain Rovman Powell (3) and Jason Holder (4), while Mustafizur accounted for the dangerous Hope.
Returning at the death, Mustafizur Rahman sealed the innings with trademark precision, taking two wickets in the first two balls of the final over and effecting a run-out soon after. His spell of 3 wickets capped off a disciplined bowling display.
Nasum Ahmed and Rishad Hossain each claimed 2 wickets, while Taskin Ahmed picked up one. West Indies’ tail, led by Roston Chase (17 off 14) and Romario Shepherd (13 off 16), managed to push the total to 149 before running out of overs.
Having lost the first T20, Bangladesh must now chase 150 runs to level the series 1–1 and force a decider. After the bowlers’ heroics, the onus now shifts to Liton Das and the batting unit to see the job through under lights in Chattogram.
