Sports Desk

Bangladesh defended a modest total of 129 to secure a 27-run victory over West Indies in the second T20I at Arnos Vale Ground, St Vincent on Wednesday, clinching the series with a 2-0 lead.

This marked their lowest total successfully defended while batting first against the West Indies.

The bowlers, both pacers and spinners, capitalised on a pitch that consistently aided them throughout the game.

Taskin Ahmed set the tone with two quick wickets in his opening over, followed by Mahedi Hasan, who struck early with the new ball to leave the hosts struggling during the Powerplay.

The other pacers joined the effort, while Rishad Hossain’s two scalps in the 17th over brought Bangladesh closer to victory.

Taskin sealed the win by dismissing Akeal Hosein for 32, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 16. Tanzim Sakib, Rishad, and Mahedi supported well, picking up two wickets each.

Earlier, opting to bat first, Bangladesh faced challenges against a spin-heavy West Indies attack, managing just 129 for 7. West Indies captain Rovman Powell’s decision to bowl first paid dividends as spinners Akeal Hosein and Roston Chase dominated early, leaving Bangladesh reeling.

Despite setbacks, Shamim Hossain provided late resistance with a crucial unbeaten 35 off 17 balls, including two fours and two sixes. His 41-run stand with Tanzim Hasan Sakib, who remained unbeaten on 9, lifted Bangladesh to a competitive total.

However, their reshuffled opening pair of Soumya Sarkar and Liton Kumer Das failed to deliver, with Litton departing for just 3 and Soumya for 11, leaving the team at 29 for 2 in the powerplay.

Mehidy Hasan tried to stabilise the innings with 26 off 25 balls, but his dismissal in the 10th over further dented Bangladesh’s momentum. Rain disrupted play briefly in the 12th over, but the middle-order continued to falter.

Akeal Hosein was the standout bowler for West Indies, conceding just 16 runs in his four overs, while Gudakesh Motie took 2 for 25.