Bangladesh suffered a five-wicket loss to the USA in the opening game of the three-match T20 International series at Prairie View Cricket Complex in Houston, Texas on Tuesday.
Batting first, Bangladesh managed a modest 153-6, which the USA chased down with three balls to spare, finishing at 156-5. This marked the USA's first victory against Bangladesh in this format.
Corey Anderson, a former New Zealand all-rounder who recently started playing for the USA, was pivotal with an unbeaten 34 off 25 balls, including two sixes. Harmeet Singh, of Indian origin, also played a crucial role, scoring an unbeaten 33 off just 13 balls with two fours and three sixes, accelerating the chase after a brief setback.
The USA began well with Steven Taylor and captain Monank Patel, who scored 12 before being run out, contributing to a 27-run opening stand. Andries Gous and Taylor maintained the momentum, with Gous scoring 23 before being dismissed by leg-spinner Rishad Hossain.
Mustafizur Rahman then took two quick wickets, dismissing Taylor (28) and Aaron Jones (4) in the 12th over, reducing the USA to 78-4. Shoriful Islam added to Bangladesh's hopes by removing Nitish Kumar, making it 94-5. However, Anderson and Singh's partnership guided the USA to victory, leaving Bangladesh disheartened.
Mustafizur ended with figures of 2-41, while Rishad and Shoriful each took one wicket.
Earlier, Towhid Hridoy's 47-ball 58 helped Bangladesh reach 150. Despite Hridoy's form, other batters struggled. Mahmudullah Riyad scored 31 off 22, while the top order faltered again, with Liton Das (14), Soumya Sarkar (20), and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (3) failing to make significant contributions.
After Shakib Al Hasan was run out for 6, Bangladesh was at a precarious 68-4. Mahmudullah and Hridoy added 67 for the fifth wicket, but the innings ended with Hridoy's dismissal on the last ball. Jaker Ali Anik remained not out on 9 from 5 balls.
Steven Taylor was the standout bowler for the USA with 2-9 from three overs, while Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, and Jessy Singh took one wicket each.
BDST: 0835 HRS, MAY 22, 2024
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