Bangladesh clinched a thrilling seven-run victory over the West Indies during the first T20 International of the series held at Arnos Vale Ground, St Vincent. It was a nail-biting finish on December 16, 2024, as the match showcased some exceptional performances, particularly from Mahedi Hasan, who was instrumental with both bat and ball.
Defending a total of 147, Bangladesh found themselves on the edge as the West Indies, led by Rovman Powell’s explosive batting, pushed hard for the win. Powell delivered a remarkable innings, scoring 60 runs off just 35 balls, complete with five fours and four sixes. His efforts rejuvenated the West Indies' chase, especially after the team had faltered to 61 for 7, seemingly on the brink of collapse.
After losing the toss, Bangladesh was invited to bat first, which proved tricky as the pitch showed variable bounce. Substantial contributions came from Soumya Sarkar, who scored 43 runs, and other middle-order batsmen, including Shamim Hossain and Mahedi Hasan, both adding valuable runs late in the innings. Bangladesh’s batting effort culminated at 147 for 6, setting up what seemed to be a challenging target.
West Indies opened their innings poorly, with Mahedi Hasan accounting for key wickets, including the explosive Nicholas Pooran, delivering figures of 4 for 13. Despite their top-order collapse, Powell and Romario Shepherd managed to forge a fighting partnership, adding 67 runs for the eighth wicket, which provided the Caribbean side hopes of clinching victory.
With ten runs needed off the last over, the match hung precariously and excitement gripped the stadium. Hasan Mahmud, tasked with bowling the final over, quickly turned the tide once again. His first important breakthrough came when he had Powell caught behind, directly impacting the West Indies’ chances. Lauded for his effort, Mahmud sealed the victory by bowling out Alzarri Joseph, leaving the host team at 140 all out.
This hard-fought victory marks Bangladesh’s first T20I win against the West Indies on their soil since their last encounter six years ago and it was commemorated on Bangladesh’s Victory Day, adding to the significance of the win.
Following the defeat, West Indies captain Rovman Powell reflected, “We will sit down and have honest conversations. We have lost our way in T20 cricket a little bit.” The captain acknowledged the team’s inconsistency, especially as they faced their first loss to Bangladesh at home during his tenure and concluded, “Our batters let us down today.”
The tour match highlights the stark downturn West Indies has seen recently. Earlier this year, they failed to reach the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 semifinals and faced another defeat against Sri Lanka. Currently sitting fourth on the ICC T20I Team Rankings, the future looks challenging as they risk slipping behind teams like New Zealand and South Africa.
Preparations are underway for the second match of the series, which is to be held at the same venue on December 17, promising another battleground for both sides to contend for dominance.
Bangladesh’s confidence boost from this victory is apparent, having endured recent struggles before this win. After facing three consecutive defeats, they will look to extend their winning momentum. The win not only boosts team morale but symbolizes hope for fans and stakeholders associated with Bangladesh cricket.
While the West Indies grappled with their performance, Bangladesh can celebrate their spirited display, which underlines the unpredictable and thrilling nature of T20 cricket. Fans can expect exciting encounters as the series progresses, along with potential shifts within the team dynamics as both sides reassess their strategies to secure future wins.
This first encounter rings as a reminder of the resilience inherent within the game, where every ball can alter the course of the match, and every player’s role can dramatically shift the momentum.
