Bangladesh has made history by completing a remarkable 3-0 T20 International (T20I) series sweep over West Indies at the Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, marking the first time they have achieved such an honor against the Caribbean side. After suffering under the weight of a 0-3 defeat during their ODI series, the Bangla Tigers surged back with confidence to exact revenge and end their year on a high note.
Stand-in captain Litton Das led the charge, demonstrating strong leadership skills and tactical acumen, guiding Bangladesh to victory by 80 runs. This sweeping success on December 20, 2024, was not only exhilarating but also showcased the potential of the Bangladesh T20 squad under Das’s direction.
Jaker Ali emerged as the star performer, blasting an explosive unbeaten 72 runs off just 41 balls, which included six sixes and three fours. Ali's aggressive batting significantly boosted Bangladesh's innings to 189 for 7, setting the stage for their bowlers to dominate. His performance drew praise, particularly after he narrowly avoided being run out when he had only scored 18. The mix-up with fellow batter Shamim Hossain, who ended up being run out, could have cost Ali dearly, but after some doubts were resolved by the third umpire, he returned to the crease and turned the game around.
“The wicket was very good compared to the last two games,” Jaker stated after the match. His powerful innings not only saved his team but also revitalized the spirits of his teammates. Parvez Hossain Emon, stepping in for the injured Soumya Sarkar, supported well with 39 runs from 21 balls, helping to set the tone during the early overs.
West Indies, seeking consolation from the series after disappointing results, faltered dramatically, losing their first three wickets for just 45 runs. The combination of fierce bowling from Bangladesh's attack was too much for them to handle. Rishad Hossain was exceptional, bagging 3 wickets for 21 runs, earning him attention as one of the standout bowlers of the series. Mahedi Hasan and Taskin Ahmed contributed two wickets apiece, ensuring West Indies was bowled out for just 109 runs, their lowest total against Bangladesh to date.
Reflecting on his captaincy, Litton Das shared, “Our bowling attack was outstanding, and I felt good as every batter was struggling.” His insightful tactical decisions played a pivotal role, allowing the bowlers to control the game effectively. Bangladesh's tactical rotation of bowlers bore fruit as they consistently took wickets, dismantling the West Indies batting line-up.
Meanwhile, West Indies captain Rovman Powell expressed his discontent with the team's performance, indicating, “Losing wickets in the Powerplay has become a pattern.” He acknowledged the need for introspection within his squad about overcoming their recent inadequacies. With the players underperforming at home, it left the captain with much to ponder as they head off to assess their performance before their next outing.
Post-match statistics deemed Mahedi Hasan the Player of the Series for his impactful 8-wicket haul throughout the series. Ali showcased the ne plus ultra of batting resilience, receiving accolades as Player of the Match for his stellar performance during the final game. He articulated the importance of patience and awareness during high-pressure situations after his close call with the run-out controversy.
Both teams look forward to their respective futures, with West Indies preparing for their forthcoming Test series against Pakistan next January, whereas Bangladesh’s players aim to build on this momentum heading closer to the Champions Trophy. Litton Das has expressed interest in solidifying his captaincy role if asked by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) indicating his desire to take on the challenge. “If the BCB asks me to lead then I am ready to do it,” he affirmed with enthusiasm.
Despite the pressures and the tumultuous experiences both teams endured throughout 2024, the final series against each other capped off the year on thrilling notes. Bangladeshi supporters will revel in the triumph of this historic series, marking it as a momentous achievement not only within their cricketing history but also as they build up confidence for future competitions.
