WI VS BAN 1ST T20I

Right then, that’s all from this entertaining encounter as West Indies take a 1-0 lead in the series. They’ll be eager to wrap it up in the next game, while Bangladesh will fight hard to take it to a decider. The second T20I will be played right here on the 29th of October, Wednesday, starting at 12 pm GMT. As always, do join us a bit earlier for all the pre-match build-up and excitement. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Shai Hope, the victorious skipper of West Indies, says that they assessed the conditions better but still feels that they could have scored more runs and goes on to applaud the way Rovman Powell batted. Adds that when the players come out and execute their individual plans, it becomes easier as a captain to set the field and make decisions.

Rovman Powell is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his fantastic knock in his 100th T20I. He says that he was very pleased at the end of his innings. Adds that at one point he was 7 off 20 balls but backed himself and believed that one big shot could change the momentum. Mentions that he and Hope were constantly having conversations about when to take on the bowlers, and it worked out in the death overs. Ends by saying that if they could have got hold of a few more, they could have scored more runs.

Litton Das, the captain of Bangladesh, says that West Indies batted really well in the first 10 overs but feels that till the 19th over, they were ahead in the game, and the game changed in just one over, which happens in cricket. Adds that they lost too many wickets in the Powerplay and reckons that Shamim Hossain also needed to take more responsibility and show more experience. Mentions that the opposition took a couple of brilliant catches as well, which makes a difference.

Presentation Time...

West Indies will be delighted with their all-round bowling performance. Akeal Hosein was taken on early but bounced back strongly after a stunning catch from Romario Shepherd set the tone. Akeal struck twice in the Powerplay, while Jason Holder and Jayden Seales added one each to put Bangladesh on the back foot. Khary Pierre joined the act soon after, and the visitors had half the side back in the hut within 10 overs. There was a brief fightback from the hosts, but as the required rate climbed, the bowlers tightened things up again. Seales and Holder finished with three wickets apiece, and Romario Shepherd wrapped things up. West Indies’ fielding, especially their catching, was simply outstanding. In fact, a few of those grabs could easily be contenders for catch of the season in any league.

Earlier in the game, West Indies posted a solid total on the board, though runs didn’t come easily early on. The openers laid a steady foundation with 35 runs in the Powerplay, both going on to contribute in the 30s. The real momentum came from an 83-run stand between Rovman Powell and Shai Hope. Playing his 100th T20I, Powell had a scratchy start and even got a reprieve, but once set, he was unstoppable - finishing unbeaten on 44 off 28 balls with four towering sixes. The duo smashed 51 runs in the final three overs to lift the total past 160. For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed and Rishad Hossain picked up wickets but were expensive, while Fizz and Nasum Ahmed kept things tight before the death overs undid their good work.

At the start of the chase, Bangladesh seemed set for a smooth ride - the ball was coming on nicely, dew was setting in, and chasing sides had done well at this venue. But things quickly went downhill after Tanzid Hasan departed following a few crisp shots, perhaps playing one stroke too many. From there, the innings unraveled rapidly - slipping to 41/4 and later 77/6. Just when it looked over, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Nasum Ahmed launched a spirited counterattack, finding a couple of big overs to spark some hope. However, both fell at crucial moments for 33 and 20, respectively, leaving too much for the tail to do. Maybe sending Rishad Hossain earlier could’ve changed the script, but in the end, it was a mountain too high for the hosts..

West Indies draw first blood in this three-match T20I series with a commanding all-round performance. After being second-best in two of the three ODIs, the visitors have bounced back in style to make a strong statement. Former skipper, Rovman Powell, playing his 100th T20I, led from the front with a decisive knock, which included 3 massive sixes in the last over that turned the game in their favour. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will have plenty to think about, especially their batting, which never quite found its rhythm in the chase.

OUT! HIT WICKET! What a bizarre way to get out! Taskin Ahmed has literally nailed a pull shot and sent the ball into the stands but he's gone too far back in the crease and has ended up getting his heel on the stumps and one of the bails has come off. Coming to the delivery, this is dug in short and around off by Romario Shepherd. Taskin is ready for it and looks to pull it from deep inside the crease and he gets plenty on it as well but unfortunately, that will be the end of his inning and also of this match. Bangladesh get bowled out for 149 and West Indies win by 16 runs!

OUT! HIT WICKET! What a bizarre way to get out! Taskin Ahmed has literally nailed a pull shot and sent the ball into the stands but he's gone too far back in the crease and has ended up getting his heel on the stumps and one of the bails has come off. Coming to the delivery, this is dug in short and around off by Romario Shepherd. Taskin is ready for it and looks to pull it from deep inside the crease and he gets plenty on it as well but unfortunately, that will be the end of his inning and also of this match. Bangladesh get bowled out for 149 and West Indies win by 16 runs!

Hard length around off, flat-batted down to long on for a single by the Fizz.

Romario nails the full and wide one this time and Mustafizur Rahman is unable to reach it.

Wide! Looks to go full and wide but spills this one beyond the tramline outside off stump.

Back of a length and around off, slower too. Taskin chops it back past the stumps and towards short fine leg for a single.

Who bowls the last over? It will be Romario Shepherd. He has 19 runs to play with, but he will look to bowl out Bangladesh here.

A full toss now, around off, Mustafizur Rahman slaps it to the left of mid off but doesn't time it perfectly. The fielder from long on runs to his right and saves the boundary with his right boot. Two taken.