In today’s opening game of the three-match T20 International series at Prairie View Cricket Complex in Huston, Texas, Bangladesh’s appalling batting performance resulted in a humiliating five-wicket loss to the USA.
Bangladesh was asked to bat first and put up a passable 153-6, a score that the USA chased down with three balls remaining to get 156-5. As a result, USA prevailed in the first-ever meeting between the two teams in this style.
After moving to the USA, Corey Anderson, a former all-rounder from New Zealand who only recently made his debut for the team, contributed significantly to the win with his 25 ball-34 not out and two sixes.
Indian origin Harmeet Singh tore apart Bangladesh to hit an unbeaten 33 off just 13 with two fours and three sixes. His knock alongside Anderson’s hastened the victory after USA faced a minor blip halfway through their chase.
USA, an associated nation, made a good start through Steven Taylor and captain Monank Patel but the latter was trapped run out to give Bangladesh the first breakthrough in the fourth over. By then they put up 27 runs in 3.1 overs with Patel making 12.
After Staylor and Andries Gous continued to strike well, leg-spinner Rishad Hossain removed Gous for 23 runs.
After dismissing Aaron Jones (4) and Taylor (28 balls) in three balls, Mustafizur Rahman struck twice, leaving the USA at 78-4 in the twelfth over.
When Shoriful Islam dismissed Nitish Kumar, putting the USA five down for 94 runs, Bangladesh felt they had won. It appeared like Bangladesh would soon secure the victory; however, to their dismay, Anderson and Harmeet played with a combination of persistent aggression and tact to lead the team home.
Mustafizur claimed two wickets in four overs but gave up 41 runs, while Rishad and Shoriful both claimed one wicket.
Earlier, Towhid Hridoy hit a 47 ball-58 to help Bangladesh propel past 150.
While Hridoy continued his rich vein of form, the other Bangladesh batters as usual cut forlorn figure to extend the side’s woes. Veteran Mahmudullah Riyad made second best 31 off 22, hitting two fours and one six.
Put into bat first, Bangladesh top order batters fumbled yet again, which put the side in a tricky situation.
Liton Das who was given chance ahead of inform Tanzid Hasan Tamim to regain his form failed to impress as he scored just 14 off 15.
Soumya Sarkar looked fluent before being out for 20 off 13 and when skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto continued his poor form by being out on 3, Bangladesh were reduced to 51-3 in 7.2 overs.
After attempting to steal a quick single, Shakib Al Hasan was then caught and ran out for six, leaving Bangladesh at 68-4 in the twelfth over.
With a fifth wicket partnership of 67 runs between Mahmudullah and Hridoy, the scoreboard began to look somewhat respectable.
Hridoy smashed four fours and two sixes in his knock before being removed with the final ball of the game. Jaker Ali Anik smashed two fours off of five balls, putting him on nine.
With 2-9 from three overs, Steven Taylor was the most productive bowler for the USA, with one wicket each for Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, and Jessy Singh.
