Bangladesh has etched its name in cricket history by achieving its first-ever T20I series whitewash against the West Indies, dramatically winning the third and final match by 80 runs at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent.
On Friday, as the visitors took to the field, captain Litton Das’s decision to bat after winning the toss proved to be pivotal. Emon Hossain got Bangladesh off to a flying start, smashing 39 runs. Despite losing Das early for 14 runs, they maintained momentum through solid contributions from other batsmen, chiefly Jaker Ali, who lit up the ground with his exceptional batting performance.
Jaker Ali’s innings of 72 runs—off just 41 balls—was particularly stunning, featuring six monumental sixes. His innings, which helped Bangladesh post 189 runs for seven wickets, was the highest score ever achieved at this venue for T20 internationals. It was not just Ali’s impressive numbers but also his ability to capitalize on the opportunity when he was reprieved from what could have been a controversial run-out at 18 runs.
While Bangladesh showcased their batting prowess, the West Indies capitulated spectacularly during their chase. The opening bowler, Taskin Ahmed, struck early by dismissing Brandon King for a duck, which was emblematic of the their struggles. With each subsequent wicket, the Windies’ chances of chasing down the target diminished, leaving them reeling at 60 for six after just 9.4 overs.
Rishad Hossain’s performance with the ball was commendable, as he claimed three wickets for only 21 runs, effectively dismantling the West Indies' batting line-up. Fellow bowlers Mahedi Hasan and Taskin Ahmed also made significant contributions, each claiming two wickets. The West Indies were finally bowled out for just 109 runs—a figure representing their second-lowest T20I total against Bangladesh.
Romario Shepherd managed to offer some resistance by scoring 33 runs, though it was clearly too little, too late. The entire West Indies side collapsed quickly, mirroring their struggles earlier this week. Their performance raised questions about batting discipline and execution, as they succumbed to Bangladesh both with the bat and the ball throughout the series.
This victory not only marks Bangladesh's glorious moment but is historically significant, as it highlights the team's growth on the international stage. Having endured whitewashes themselves just prior during the ODI series—where they lost three games to the Windies—this T20I series serves as both revenge and redemption.
The excitement surrounding this stunning T20 whitewash is palpable, with cricket fans back home celebrating their team's resilience and newly-found dominance over traditional powers. Bangladesh's accomplishment of sweeping the West Indies 3-0 brings joy to supporters and is touted as one of the proudest moments for the nation's cricketing history.
Ali's efforts during the match earned him the Player of the Match title, and his consistent performance secured his place at the center of this achievement. Meanwhile, Mahedi Hasan found recognition as the Player of the Series due to his invaluable contributions throughout the matches.
For the West Indies, the repeated failures have sparked conversations about their cricketing strategies and personnel. With star players falling short and their defense crumbling under pressure, significant changes may be on the horizon as they seek to turnaround their fortunes.
The cricketing world has taken notice of this milestone—the first time Bangladesh has achieved such dominant success over the West Indies on their home soil. The pride and joy surrounding this accomplishment are well-justified, as they look forward to continuing this pace as they shift their focus to future challenges.
