BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS – With a stunning display of power-hitting and a ruthless bowling attack, the West Indies Women’s team steamrolled Bangladesh Women by 106 runs in the second T20I at Warner Park on Wednesday, January 29, sealing the series with a game to spare.
The commanding victory was fueled by an electrifying 63-run knock from opener Qiana Joseph and a typically destructive 49 from Deandra Dottin, as the hosts posted a formidable 201 for six—their second-highest T20I total. In response, Bangladesh never found their footing, crumbling under relentless West Indies pressure to 101 for seven in their 20 overs.
Early onslaught leaves visitors shell-shocked
After winning the toss and opting to field, Bangladesh Women quickly regretted their decision as Joseph and skipper Hayley Matthews launched a scintillating assault on their bowlers in the opening overs.
Joseph set the tone in the very first over, smashing two boundaries off Fariha Trisna, before mercilessly dispatching three consecutive fours off off-spinner Sultana Khatun in the next. Matthews joined in the onslaught, hammering Trisna for three more boundaries, propelling West Indies to 34 without loss in just three overs.
The fiery opening stand came to an end when Matthews, who had raced to 27, was bowled by Rabeya Khan in the sixth over, attempting a cut shot. Shemaine Campbelle soon followed, clean-bowled for 11 by Fahima Khatun with the score at 70.
However, the real fireworks began when Deandra Dottin strode to the crease. Wasting no time, she launched a sensational counterattack, slog-sweeping Khatun for three monstrous sixes in a single over.
Meanwhile, Joseph remained relentless, punishing Trisna for two fours and two towering sixes in the 10th over, reaching her half-century in dazzling fashion. She eventually departed for a breath-taking 63 off 36 balls, having bludgeoned nine fours and two sixes, caught out after an aggressive attempt to clear the boundary.
Dottin continued the onslaught, demolishing leg-spinner Shorna Akter with two fours and a six off consecutive deliveries. She seemed destined for her 15th T20I half-century, but fell just short at 49, caught at long-on while attempting another six.
A late cameo from Shabika Gajnabi, who struck an unbeaten 24 off just 12 balls, propelled West Indies past the 200-run mark, setting a virtually unreachable target for Bangladesh.
Early wickets dash any hopes of a fightback
With a towering total of 201 to chase, Bangladesh Women needed a miracle start to stay in contention. Instead, they were left shell-shocked as West Indies’ bowlers ran riot.
Fast bowler Cherry-Ann Fraser made early inroads, dismissing Dilara Dola for 8 and Sobhana Mostary for a four-ball duck inside the powerplay. Spinner Zaida James then piled on the misery, removing Taj Nehar for 5, as Bangladesh slumped to 24 for three.
Though Sharmin Akter (22) and captain Nigar Sultana Joty (10) attempted a mini-revival with a 28-run partnership, their resistance was short-lived. Afy Fletcher shattered their hopes, bowling Joty for 10, and from there, Bangladesh’s innings unraveled spectacularly, losing six wickets for just 41 runs.
Matthews, Fraser, and Fletcher all finished with two wickets apiece, capping off a comprehensive team performance that left Bangladesh in tatters.
Final match a chance for emerging stars to shine
With an unassailable 2-0 series lead, the West Indies Women now turn their attention to Friday’s final T20I, where they will aim for a dominant series whitewash. The final match could see opportunities for younger players, as hinted by assistant coach Damien Wright, ensuring the squad continues to build depth ahead of future international challenges.
For Bangladesh, the last match offers one final chance to salvage some pride, but given the sheer dominance of the West Indies so far, they face an uphill battle to avoid a complete sweep.
