Match Summary:
Bangladesh Innings: 147-6 in 20 overs (Soumya Sarkar 43, Shamim Hossain 27, Mahedi Hasan 26; Akeal Hosein 2-13, Obed McCoy 2-30)
West Indies Innings: 140 all out in 19.5 overs (Rovman Powell 60, Romario Shepherd 22, Johnson Charles 20; Mahedi Hasan 4-13, Hasan Mahmud 2-18, Taskin Ahmed 2-28)
Result: Bangladesh won by 7 runs
Player of the Match: Mahedi Hasan

On the day of national pride and remembrance, as Bangladesh celebrates its Victory Day today (December 16), the cricket team delivered a performance befitting the occasion. 

Bangladesh began their three-match T20I series against the West Indies with a hard-fought seven-run victory at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St. Vincent, on Sunday. 

The match saw a career-best performance from Mahedi Hasan and some stellar death-over bowling that secured the win for the visitors.

Defending a modest target of 148, Mahedi Hasan set the tone early, delivering a sensational spell of 4-13 in his four overs, all bowled consecutively at the start of the West Indies innings. His remarkable performance put the hosts under pressure from the outset. 

Despite Mahedi's heroics, the game went down to the wire, with Hasan Mahmud stepping up in the final over to defend 10 runs. The young pacer dismissed the last two West Indies batters, bundling them out for 140 in 19.5 overs. Taskin Ahmed also contributed with two key wickets, further strengthening Bangladesh's bowling effort.

West Indies captain Rovman Powell played a valiant knock of 60 off just 35 balls, nearly steering his side to victory. Powell's powerful hitting gave the hosts hope, but the Bangladesh bowlers held their nerve to close out the game in a thrilling finish.

Earlier, Bangladesh’s innings was anchored by Soumya Sarkar, who scored a composed 43 off 32 balls. Late-order fireworks came from Shamim Hossain, whose 13-ball 27 cameo, along with Mahedi Hasan's unbeaten 26, pushed Bangladesh to a competitive total of 147-6. 

The West Indies bowling attack, led by Akeal Hosein (2-13) and Obed McCoy (2-30), kept the visitors in check but couldn’t prevent them from setting a defendable target.

The victory gives Bangladesh a 1-0 lead in the series, setting the stage for an exciting second T20I. 

BDST: 1027 HRS, DEC 16, 2024
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