Lower order fights but Tigers fall short in first T20I against West Indies

The top order crumbled, the tail refused to follow but despite the late fight, Bangladesh fell 16 runs short against the West Indies in the first T20I of the three-match series in Chattogram on Monday.

Chasing a reasonable total of 165 for three, the Tigers imploded early, losing half their side for just 63 runs inside nine overs. Opener Tanzid Tamim's brisk 15 off five balls, featuring two fours and a six, was the only bright spot up top as Litton Das (5 off 8), Saif Hassan (8 off 7), Shamim Hossain (1 off 5), and Nurul Hasan Sohan (5 off 10) fell in quick succession. Towhid Hridoy tried to steady the ship with a 25-ball 28, but by then, Bangladesh had already lost control of the chase.

The lower-order, however, brought the contest back to life. Tanzim Hasan Sakib led the fightback with a 27-ball 33 -- the innings' highest -- laced with three fours and a six. Nasum Ahmed followed with a spirited 13-ball 20, also smashing three fours and a six. Taskin Ahmed (10) and Mustafizur Rahman (11) added brief cameos, though Taskin's hit wicket dismissal in the final over sealed the Tigers' fate as they folded for 149 in 19.4 overs. Taskin was unfortunate as his hit went way over the fence but to his disappointment, he went too deep into the crease and saw his boot hit the stumps and dislodge the bails.

The contrast was striking. The bottom five batters amassed 80 runs with eight fours and three sixes, while the top six combined for just 62 runs with four fours and two sixes, highlighting how the tail showed the top order how it's done.

Earlier, West Indies skipper Shai Hope and Rovman Powell powered the visitors to 165 for three after a late flourish. The Windies were 101 for three after 15 overs before plundering 64 runs in the last five, including 51 off the final three. Hope hammered 46 off 28 balls with four sixes and a four, while Powell overcame a slow start to smash 44 off 28, also hitting four sixes and a four.

For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers with two for 36, while Rishad Hossain claimed one for 40. Tanzim Sakib endured a rough outing, conceding 47 runs from his four overs, including 22 in the final over.

Tigers in trouble at the halfway mark 

Bangladesh's run chase were handed a dent as the Tigers lost half their side for just 63 runs after 10 overs. The Tigers still needed 103 runs in the next 10 overs to win. 

Bangladesh's top three flopped as Tanzid Tamim (15 off five), Litton Das (five off eight), and Saif Hassan (eight off seven) departed cheaply within the first five overs. 

Shamim Hossain's (one off five) flat run continued as his wild hoick was nowhere near the onrushing ball which crashed onto the stumps. Nurul Hasan Sohan followed suit. The right-hander chewed up 10 balls for his five runs and got castled by Khary Pierre in the ninth over. 

Hope, Powell power West Indies to 165

West Indies skipper Shai Hope and Rovman Powell's late blitz powered the visitors to 165 for three in the first T20I of the three-match series against Bangladesh in Chattogram on Monday.

The Windies were 101 for three after 15 overs before unleashing carnage in the final stretch, smashing 64 runs in the last five overs, including 51 off the final three.

Hope wasted little time finding his rhythm, hammering 46 off 28 balls with four sixes and a four. Powell, in contrast, had a sluggish start -- managing only nine off his first 18 balls -- before exploding at the death. His 44 off 28 deliveries featured four sixes and a four, all coming in the final overs.

For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed was the most successful bowler with two for 36, while Rishad Hossain picked up one for 40. Tanzim Hasan Sakib endured a tough outing, conceding 47 runs from his four overs, including 22 in the final over. Taskin's last over -- the 18th of the innings -- also went for 15.

Taskin strikes twice in an over as Tigers gain control 

Taskin Ahmed produced a double-wicket over, taking down Brandon King and Sherfane Rutherford in the 13th over of the innings, to reduce the West Indies to 84-3 after 13 overs in the first T20I of the three-match in Chattogram on Monday.

King, who laboured for his 36-ball 33, fell to a the change of pace as his heave toward the leg side found the fielder at deep square-leg, while Rutherford skied one only for Litton Das to gobble up. 

Skipper Shai Hope (12 off 11) and Rovman Powell (one off three) remained unbeaten. 

Rishad gives Tigers their first breakthrough 

Rishad Hossain struck to give Bangladesh their first breakthrough in the first T20I of the three-match series against the West Indies in Chattogram on Monday. 

The leg-spinner was able to to strike as Windies opener Alick Athanaze fluffed aa reverse sweep in the ninth over. The dismissal brought an end to a 59-run stand between the visiting openers who were always kept in check by the Bangladesh bowlers. 

Athanaze, who smashed four boundaries and a maximum, was the aggressor in the partnership, having scored 34 runs off 27 balls. His partner, Brandon King, however, was behind the eight ball, managing just 22 runs off 24 balls as the West Indies were 62-1 after nine overs. 

The visitors' watchful start also saw them manage 35 runs without loss in the Powerplay.

Tigers to bowl first in 1st WI T20I; Litton, Hridoy, Taskin, Fizz return

West Indies captain Shai Hope won the toss and asked Bangladesh to field first in the opening T20I at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram today.

The Tigers have made several changes from the side that featured in their last T20I against Afghanistan. Skipper Litton Das returns from injury to lead the team, while Towhid Hridoy, Taskin Ahmed, and Mustafizur Rahman also make their way back into the eleven. Parvez Hossain Emon, Jaker Ali, Mohammad Saifuddin, and Shoriful Islam miss out.

After an ODI series in Mirpur, where Bangladesh capitalised on home advantage to clinch a 2-1 win, the focus now shifts to a new format and a more balanced surface. Chattogram's wicket, known for its even bounce and pace, offers a fairer contest between bat and ball -- a welcome change from the spin-dominated tracks of Mirpur.

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‘I want our players to be challenged’

With just six T20Is remaining before next year's ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, Bangladesh enter this series on the back of four consecutive T20I series wins -- against Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the Netherlands, and Afghanistan -- and are keen to keep that momentum going against the former world champions.

Before the start of play, players and officials observed a minute’s silence in memory of Hasan Ahmed, the Barishal Division physiotherapist who passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest during the third day’s play of the 27th National Cricket League (NCL) fixture between Khulna Division and Barishal Division at the Khulna Divisional Stadium earlier in the day. As a mark of respect, the Bangladesh team are wearing black armbands. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Bangladesh XI: Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hassan, Litton Das (c and wk), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.