Photo: Collected
Bangladesh edged past the West Indies by seven runs in a nail-biting first T20I of the three-match series at the Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, St Vincent.
Defending a modest total of 148, Mahedi Hasan led the charge with his career-best bowling figures of 4-13 from four consecutive overs upfront. However, it was Hasan Mahmud's heroics in the final over that sealed the victory. Tasked with defending 10 runs, the pacer delivered under pressure, claiming the final two wickets as the West Indies were bowled out for 140 in 19.5 overs.
Earlier in the day, Soumya Sarkar's 43 off 32 balls and Shamim Hossain's quick-fire 27 off 13 balls guided Bangladesh to 147-6 after being asked to bat. For the West Indies, spinners Akeal Hosein and Obed McCoy each picked up two wickets.
Bangladesh bowlers dominated early, reducing the hosts to 36-3 during the Powerplay. Mahedi Hasan then struck twice in the seventh over, while Tanzim Sakib and Rishad Hossain chipped in with a wicket apiece, leaving the West Indies in deep trouble at 61-7 after 11.4 overs.
West Indies skipper Rovman Powell almost single-handedly turned the match around, smashing 60 off just 35 balls. His 67-run partnership off 33 deliveries with Romario Shepherd (22 off 17) for the eighth wicket brought the home side back into contention.
Taskin Ahmed broke the stand in the 18th over, dismissing Shepherd and conceding just two runs in a crucial spell. Tanzim Sakib held his nerve in the penultimate over, conceding eight runs, leaving Hasan Mahmud with 10 runs to defend in the final over.
Bangladesh now lead the series 1-0, with the second match scheduled at the same venue on Wednesday.
Messenger/Tushar
