The West Indies Men’s National Cricket Team clinched a hard-fought 14-run victory over Bangladesh in the second T20I at Chattogram, sealing the three-match series 2-0. It was a contest defined by sharp bowling, timely partnerships, and composure under pressure as the visitors once again proved too strong for the hosts in crunch moments.
Batting first after winning the toss, West Indies posted a competitive total of 149 for 9 in their 20 overs. Openers Alick Athanaze and Shai Hope laid a strong foundation with a brisk 88-run stand for the first wicket. Athanaze looked explosive from the start, smashing 52 off 33 balls with five fours and three sixes, while Hope anchored the innings with 55 off 36 deliveries. However, once both fell in quick succession, Bangladesh clawed their way back through Mustafizur Rahman, who bowled with clever variations and ended with figures of 3 for 21. The lower order failed to capitalise on the start, losing six wickets for just 38 runs, but the early acceleration ensured that West Indies still had a defendable total on a sluggish pitch.
In response, Bangladesh’s chase began steadily but unraveled as the innings progressed. Opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim played a fighting knock of 61 off 48 balls, holding one end firmly while wickets kept tumbling at the other. Towhid Hridoy contributed briefly, but once he was dismissed, Bangladesh’s innings lost shape. The hosts struggled to rotate strike effectively against the spinners and couldn’t maintain the required run rate after the halfway mark.
West Indies’ bowlers executed their plans with precision. Romario Shepherd and Akeal Hosein were the standout performers, both taking three wickets each and maintaining constant pressure. Hosein’s control in the middle overs strangled Bangladesh’s scoring rate, while Shepherd’s yorkers at the death sealed the match. The fielding unit also backed the bowlers with sharp catching and ground fielding, preventing easy boundaries during the critical overs. Bangladesh finished on 135 for 8, falling 14 runs short despite having wickets in hand earlier in the chase.
For West Indies, this victory was significant not only because it sealed the series but also because it came in testing subcontinental conditions, where they have historically struggled. The adaptability shown by their younger players — particularly Athanaze and Hosein — suggested a growing maturity within the squad. Captain Rovman Powell praised the team’s discipline, highlighting how they executed their plans under pressure after setting what seemed an average total.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, will be disappointed with their batting application. Once again, they failed to convert starts into match-winning partnerships. Tanzid’s valiant innings was the lone highlight in an otherwise disjointed performance. Their inability to close out chases continues to be a recurring issue, especially on home soil where expectations are higher.
In the end, West Indies proved that intent and composure can outweigh inexperience. Their 2-0 series win in Bangladesh marks a crucial boost in confidence ahead of the upcoming T20 calendar. For Bangladesh, the lessons are clear — they need greater middle-order resilience and sharper death-overs execution if they are to bounce back in future contests.
12BET Shortlisted for Sportsbook Operator of the Year at SBC Awards 2025