KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent – A spectacular bowling performance by Bangladesh secured a crushing 27-run victory over the West Indies in the second T20I at Arnos Vale on Tuesday, clinching an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
This emphatic win marked Bangladesh’s first T20 series triumph over the Windies in six years and highlighted a remarkable turnaround in their fortunes against the Caribbean side.
Shamim Hossain’s heroics steal the spotlight
After early wickets left Bangladesh floundering at 11 for two, Player-of-the-Match Shamim Hossain emerged as the savior. His unbeaten 35 off just 17 balls transformed a struggling innings into a respectable total of 129 for seven. Shamim’s ferocity was on full display as he pummeled 15 runs off the final over and struck two towering sixes off Obed McCoy’s bowling in the death overs, rescuing Bangladesh from the brink of collapse.
The late surge came after West Indies spinners Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie wreaked havoc, with Motie finishing as the standout bowler with 2-25 from his four overs. Despite their best efforts, the hosts could not prevent Bangladesh from accumulating 41 runs in the last four overs—a decisive stretch that ultimately tipped the scales.
West Indies’ batting crumbles under pressure
Chasing what seemed like a manageable target, the West Indies’ batting line-up faltered spectacularly against Bangladesh’s disciplined attack. Openers Brandon King and Johnson Charles got off to a promising start, but the momentum quickly evaporated as Taskin Ahmed dismantled the top order with surgical precision, finishing with stellar figures of 3-16.
A flurry of wickets saw the home side reeling at 42 for six, with key players like Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell failing to steady the ship. Powell, dropped at first slip early in his innings, managed only six runs before falling to Hasan Mahmud.
A late 47-run stand between Roston Chase and Akeal Hosein offered a glimmer of hope, but it was not enough to salvage the game. Chase top-scored with 32 off 34 balls, but his dismissal triggered a rapid collapse, with the West Indies skittled out for 102 in 18.3 overs.
Bangladesh bowlers shine bright
Bangladesh’s bowling unit delivered a collective masterclass. Taskin Ahmed led the charge, ably supported by Rishad Hossain (2-12), Mahedi Hasan (2-20), and Tanzim Hasan Sakib (2-22). Their relentless assault exposed the frailty of the West Indies’ batting order and ensured a commanding victory for the visitors.
This win marked Bangladesh’s second-largest margin of victory over the West Indies when batting first and a historic moment for their cricketing journey. As the two teams gear up for the final match, Bangladesh will look to complete a clean sweep, while the West Indies face the daunting task of salvaging some pride.
