CHATTOGRAM — The West Indies sealed a commanding 3-0 series sweep over Bangladesh with a five-wicket win in the final T20 International on Friday, completing the job without even calling on their talismanic captain, Shai Hope.
Romario Shepherd led the charge with a stunning hat-trick — only the second by a West Indian in T20I history — dismantling Bangladesh’s lower order and limiting them to 151 for nine at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium.
Shepherd’s blistering spell (3-36) capped another disciplined bowling display, as Bangladesh’s innings crumbled after a spirited 89 from opener Tanzid Hasan, who stood as the lone bulwark against a relentless Caribbean attack.
“I’ve been working hard on execution, and to see it pay off like this feels special,” said Shepherd, who ended the series with seven wickets and earned Player-of-the-Series honors.
Tanzid’s lone resistance falters under pressure
After the early departures of Parvez Hossain Emon (9) and captain Litton Das (6), Bangladesh rebuilt through a gritty 98-run stand between Tanzid and Saif Hassan (23). Tanzid, dropped on 12 by Jason Holder at mid-off, made the most of his reprieve, powering to a half century off 36 balls.
However, once Holder broke the partnership by removing Hassan, Bangladesh’s innings fell apart spectacularly. The final eight wickets tumbled for just 44 runs, with Shepherd returning to trigger the collapse — dismissing Nurul Hasan, Tanzid, and Shoriful Islam in consecutive deliveries to etch his name into the record books.
Khary Pierre (2-23) and Holder (2-32) provided valuable support as Bangladesh folded meekly in their final overs.
Chase and Auguste power the run chase
In reply, the West Indies lost early wickets to slip to 52 for three after dismissals of Alick Athanaze, Brandon King, and Amir Jangoo (34). But stand-in captain Roston Chase and the young Ackeem Auguste steadied the innings with a brilliant 93-run partnership that took the game away from Bangladesh.
Auguste, playing only his fourth T20I, immediately signaled intent by launching Taskin Ahmed’s first delivery of the ninth over for six over midwicket. Chase, measured at first, joined the onslaught soon after — driving and pulling with growing confidence as the duo punished loose bowling.
By the 12th over, Chase had twice pierced the infield against Nasum Ahmed, and Auguste was in full flow, belting Rishad Hossain for three towering sixes in one over — right after being dropped at cover. The left-hander reached his maiden T20I fifty from 24 balls, while Chase followed suit with his fifth half century in the format off 28.
Their partnership propelled the Windies to 143 for three by the 15th over, virtually sealing the result. Both batters, however, fell in quick succession — undone by Hossain’s clever googlies, each dismissed for 50 — but the chase was all but over.
Finishing in style
With just eight runs needed from 27 balls, Rovman Powell and Gudakesh Motie calmly completed the formalities, steering the visitors to 152 for five in 16.5 overs.
Hossain (3-43) was Bangladesh’s best bowler but received little support from his teammates.
The emphatic victory underscored West Indies’ growing cohesion and depth, as they secured a rare away whitewash — and did so without their regular captain.
