WI vs BAN (1st T20I) – Highlights
Under the floodlights of Chattogram, the West Indies began their 2025 T20I tour of Bangladesh with a composed 16-run win that showcased both power and poise. It was a night of calculated aggression led by skipper Shai Hope and Rovman Powell, who steadied the innings when it mattered most, before the bowlers applied the finishing chokehold. Bangladesh, despite flashes of promise, could not stitch together the partnerships required to chase down 166.
Batting first, WI got off to a steady start with Alick Athanaze and Brandon King building a 59-run stand. The pair combined control with bursts of boundary hitting, particularly targeting the pace of Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Athanaze’s fluent 34 off 27 balls ended when he misread a quicker one from Rishad Hossain, while King’s innings of 33 from 36 balls was cut short by Taskin Ahmed’s sharp delivery that found the edge.
At 82 for 3, West Indies briefly looked vulnerable when Sherfane Rutherford departed for a golden duck. But from there, the experienced duo of Hope and Powell took charge. Hope, captaining with calm assurance, accelerated in the back half of the innings, striking four sixes in his 46 off 28 balls. Powell provided the late firepower, hammering an unbeaten 44 off 28 balls, including four sixes of his own. Their 83-run unbeaten stand off just 47 deliveries propelled West Indies to a competitive 165 for 3, a total that seemed par on a slightly two-paced surface.
BAN’s bowling effort was spirited but inconsistent. Nasum Ahmed was miserly, conceding only 15 runs in his four overs, while Mustafizur Rahman controlled the death overs with cutters and yorkers. However, the middle overs leaked too many boundaries, particularly from Taskin and Tanzim Sakib, who went for 83 runs combined in their eight overs.
In reply, Bangladesh’s chase began with intent. Tanzid Hasan came out swinging, blasting 15 off just five balls, but his departure in the second over triggered a collapse. Litton Das and Saif Hassan both failed to anchor the innings, and within the Powerplay, Bangladesh were tottering at 41 for 4. Towhid Hridoy attempted to rebuild with a steady 28, but wickets kept tumbling around him.
It was Tanzim Hasan Sakib, promoted up the order, who brought a flicker of resistance. His 33 off 27 balls, complemented by Nasum Ahmed’s 20 from 13, gave BAN faint hope. However, Jason Holder’s clever variations and Jayden Seales’ sharp pace sealed the fate of the innings. Holder’s figures of 3 for 31 and Seales’ 3 for 32 broke the spine of Bangladesh’s middle and lower order, with Romario Shepherd finishing things off as Bangladesh were bowled out for 149 in 19.4 overs.
For WI, the victory was a statement of intent—a balanced display of measured batting and disciplined bowling. For Bangladesh, it was another reminder of their ongoing struggle to convert starts into substance, especially in the middle overs. With the series still young, the home side will hope for a stronger response in the next match, but for now, Rovman Powell’s fireworks and Shai Hope’s composure have set the early tone of Caribbean dominance.
West Indies vs Bangladesh Scoreboard
West Indies – 165/3 (20)
Bangladesh – 149/10 (19.4)
Result – West Indies won by 16 runs
Player of the Match – Rovman Powell
Rovman Powell
WI vs BAN Playing XIs
West Indies | Litton Das (c & wk), Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hassan, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Rishad Hossain. |
Bangladesh | Shai Hope (c & wk), Alick Athanaze, Brandon King, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales. |
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
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