Bangladesh stumbled to a 16-run defeat against the West Indies in the first T20I at the Bir Shreshtha Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram, despite a spirited late partnership between Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Nasum Ahmed.
Set a target of 166, Bangladesh’s top order once again faltered. Tanzid Hasan Tamim gave the hosts a brisk start, striking Akeal Hosein for a six and two fours within the opening overs. However, he perished for 15 after mistiming a pull shot off Jayden Seales to mid-on. Skipper Liton Das, returning from injury, also failed to settle, falling to Hosein for five after a brief attempt to accelerate with a reverse sweep.
Saif Hassan added only eight before being caught at short fine leg attempting a paddle sweep, and Shamim Hossain Patwary lasted just four balls before Jason Holder bowled him with a slower delivery. By the end of the powerplay, Bangladesh were struggling at 42 for four.
Nurul Hasan Sohan’s dismissal compounded the collapse, chopping a Khary Pierre delivery onto his stumps for five. Towhid Hridoy looked the only batter capable of reviving the innings, but his mistimed pull off Seales was caught at fine leg for 28, leaving Bangladesh deep in trouble at 77 for six.
That was when Tanzim and Nasum offered a flicker of resistance. The pair counter-attacked with a 40-run stand from just 23 deliveries, finding boundaries freely and briefly lifting Bangladesh’s hopes. Tanzim struck 33 off 27 balls before edging Holder to deep point, while Nasum followed soon after for 20 off 13. Their cameos reduced the margin of defeat but could not prevent the inevitable, as Bangladesh were bowled out for 149.
Jayden Seales and Jason Holder claimed three wickets apiece for the visitors, who took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
