BAN VS WI 2ND T20I

Grande de Bengala, that old Portuguese moniker for Chattogram, the Port City, roars back to life for the second T20I between Bangladesh and West Indies in this 3-match series. So far, this white-ball contest has been a grind for the batters, gasping for runs while the bowlers run the show and dictate terms and conditions. It all started with the ODIs in the capital, Dhaka, where batting felt like navigating a minefield, and the opening T20I followed the same script with a slow, low pitch that made run-scoring a proper slog. It wasn't quite as brutal as the longer format, but it was close. Still, whispers of batting-friendly conditions being rolled out are doing the rounds. The real battle here is how teams handle the Powerplay against the new ball. Both sides have struggled, but the hosts have looked far more rattled. Their top order was dismantled and will be desperate to make up for their dismal showing in the series opener. A lot of faith has been put in the opening pair of Tanzid Hasan and Saif Hassan, but the returns have been brutal. They've managed just one fifty-plus partnership this calendar year while trying out seven different opening combinations. That's a problem that needs fixing, fast, for a settled World Cup roster for the next year. A lot will once again hinge on skipper Litton Das and Tawhid Hridoy to dig the middle order out of trouble. On the bowling front, Bangladesh must be tearing their hair out because they bowled superbly, but that conversion into wickets was alarming. They managed just three scalps despite keeping things tight, and critically, need to tighten their screws in death bowling as well. On the brighter side, Nasum Ahmed has emerged as a genuine threat alongside Rishad Hossain in the spin department. The pace trio of Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib, have all been productive in white-ball cricket at least. For West Indies, this looks like a far more settled batting unit with the top four doing the heavy lifting, even if they were a touch sluggish. Their opening combinations have been questioned for ages, but promoting Alick Athanaze to the top has given them much better balance, especially with a streak of big hitters to follow. The main knock on the Windies has always been their one-dimensional approach with the bat and their inability to adapt and guide a chase. But this top three of Alick Athanaze, Brandon King, and skipper Shai Hope finally offers the mix they've been searching for, blending technique with firepower. With the ball, Jayden Seales has done an impressive job in the absence of some key frontline pacers, well supported by the ever-reliable Jason Holder. On the spin front, Akeal Hosein's heroics remain a proven weapon. If the West Indies can piece things together consistently, this unit has everything it takes to strike, and strike hard. Bangladesh, meanwhile, are chasing their fifth straight bilateral T20I series win and have the chance to push this contest into a decider. For West Indies, a win here would seal their second series triumph of the year and build solid momentum ahead of the big event just a few months away. All set, then, for another thrilling clash between Bangladesh’s home advantage and that unmistakable Caribbean flair.