In a thrilling encounter on December 16, 2024, Bangladesh narrowly defeated West Indies by seven runs in the first T20I of their series. Despite a valiant 60-run knock from West Indies captain Rovman Powell, Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by Mahedi Hasan, held their nerve in the final overs to secure the win.
Bangladesh, having struggled in the ODI series, needed to make a strong statement, and their performance with the bat and ball in the T20I delivered exactly that. After opting to bat first, Bangladesh faced early wickets but steady partnerships between Soumya Sarkar (43) and Mehidy Hasan (26) ensured they posted a respectable total of 147/6.
When West Indies began their chase, they were immediately under pressure. Key wickets fell quickly, and it was left to Powell to steer the innings. The West Indies captain played a brilliant knock, managing to keep his team in the hunt, but Bangladesh’s bowlers, particularly Hasan, continued to chip away.
Mahedi Hasan’s bowling was a standout as he took crucial wickets, including dismissing dangerous top-order batters. The West Indies were reduced to 61/7 in the 12th over, putting them in a precarious position. However, Powell, along with Romario Shepherd (21*), mounted a valiant fightback, adding 67 runs in just 33 balls for the eighth wicket.
As the game neared its conclusion, the West Indies still required 10 runs off the final over. Bangladesh’s Hasan Mahmud held his composure under immense pressure, removing Powell and Alzarri Joseph in the last moments, ensuring a thrilling finish to the match.
The victory was a morale booster for Bangladesh, particularly after their series loss in the ODIs. With this win, they gained confidence ahead of the remaining matches in the T20I series. The match was a testament to their resilience and to Mahedi Hasan’s brilliant all-round performance. His vital wickets, combined with his contribution with the bat, were crucial in guiding Bangladesh to victory, despite the heroic efforts of Powell.
This exciting encounter sets the tone for the remainder of the series and highlights the competitive spirit between these two teams. Bangladesh will hope to build on this victory, with more challenging encounters ahead, while the West Indies will need to regroup quickly to make a comeback in the series.