Bangladesh’s road to the 2024 T20 World Cup began on a disappointing note with a five-wicket loss to the USA in their opening T20I. Despite setting a 154-run target, the Najmul Hossain Shanto-led squad couldn’t hold off the Americans at the Prairie View Cricket Complex in Houston on Tuesday, May 21. This early setback highlights the challenges Bangladesh faces as they gear up for the upcoming tournament.
Bangladesh’s Heartbreaking Innings:
Following their 4-1 victory over Zimbabwe on home soil, Bangladesh traveled to the USA for a three-match T20I series. With a full-strength squad, they were asked to bat first by USA captain Monank Patel. Bangladesh’s start was less than ideal, managing just 37 runs in the powerplay and losing the struggling Liton Das early. The USA tightened their hold in the middle overs, reducing Bangladesh to 68/4 by the 12th over, thanks to an impressive spell from spinner Steven Taylor, who took two wickets for just nine runs.
A crucial partnership between Towhid Hridoy and Mahmudullah helped Bangladesh regain some footing. However, former Mumbai cricketer Saurabh Netravalkar, who played for Washington Freedom in the inaugural Major League Cricket season in 2023, ended their 67-run stand. Despite these setbacks, Bangladesh managed to add 17 runs in the final over, bowled by Ali Khan, pushing their total past the 150-run mark.
USA’s Fighting and Victorious Innings:
The USA began their run chase energetically, even after losing skipper Monank Patel in the fourth over. They were cruising at 65-1 in the ninth over before a sudden collapse left them at 78-4. With the required run rate climbing, Harmeet Singh and former New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson took charge. At the 15-over mark, USA needed 60 runs. The task became steeper at 55 runs required from the last four overs as Mahmudullah delivered a tight over.
The game turned in the 17th over when Harmeet Singh smashed consecutive sixes off Mustafizur Rahman. Both Rahman and Shoriful Islam struggled in the death overs, conceding heavily. The 18th and 19th overs yielded 14 and 15 runs respectively, leaving the USA needing just nine runs in the final over. They achieved this with three balls to spare. Harmeet Singh and Corey Anderson, remaining unbeaten on 33 and 34 runs respectively, led the USA to a historic win.
After this amazing and historic win, USA captain Monank Patel said,” Credit goes to our spinners for bowling in the right areas and giving us a target we could chase down. They gave us crucial wickets and the left-right combination worked well. I think we started well but there were too many dot balls in the middle overs, that’s something we need to work on. But credit to Harmeet and Corey for the way they finished things. I think we are building some good momentum, need to continue the same way.”
Bangladesh vs USA upcoming Mtch:
The upcoming second T20I is set for Thursday, May 23, at the Prairie View Cricket Complex, maintaining continuity at the venue. In the broader context of the 2024 T20 World Cup, the USA finds themselves in Group A alongside formidable opponents like India, Pakistan, Canada, and Ireland. This diverse lineup promises intense competition, with each team vying for supremacy in the group stage. As the series progresses, the USA aims to hone their skills and form to make a mark on the global stage.
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