In a nail-biting contest, Sheikh Mehidy Hasan’s all-round brilliance, coupled with a fantastic bowling performance, led Bangladesh to a hard-fought win over the West Indies, giving them a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series.
Although the match was played on the night of December 15 in St. Vincent, it was the morning of December 16 in Bangladesh—marking Victory Day. As Bangladesh inched closer to victory, former West Indies spinner Samuel Badree said during commentary, “Today is a special day in Bangladesh… Victory Day. Their cricketers are playing like true victors, with an indomitable spirit…”
However, the game took a dramatic turn in the later stages, creating a tense finish. In the end, Bangladesh emerged victorious, showcasing remarkable resilience.
The Thrilling Finale
In a heart-pounding last over, Hasan Mahmud held his nerves to defend 10 runs, dismissing both Rovman Powell and Alzarri Joseph. Powell, who played a captain’s knock of 60 runs off 35 balls, fell to a wide delivery he chased, while Joseph was clean bowled a ball later. West Indies fell 7 runs short, managing 140 in 19.5 overs in reply to Bangladesh’s 147/6.
Although Hasan was the hero in the final moments, the star of the match was undoubtedly Sheikh Mehidy Hasan. His unbeaten 26 off 24 balls seemed a touch slow but was invaluable in the context of the game. Later, he completely dominated with the ball, taking 4 wickets for just 13 runs in his 4 overs, rattling the West Indies’ top and middle order.
A Tense Chase
West Indies were reeling at 61/7 after Mehidy, alongside Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud, dismantled their lineup. But Rovman Powell and Romario Shepherd launched a spirited counterattack, adding 67 runs off just 33 balls for the eighth wicket. The duo brought West Indies within touching distance, needing only 20 runs from the last three overs.
Taskin’s brilliant penultimate over, where he conceded only 2 runs and dismissed Shepherd (22 off 17), turned the tide back in Bangladesh’s favor. Hasan then sealed the deal with his exceptional last-over execution.
Bangladesh’s Innings: Contributions in Patches
Earlier, batting first after losing the toss, Bangladesh posted a modest total of 147/6. Soumya Sarkar (43 off 32) and Zakir Ali (27 off 27) rebuilt after a shaky start, adding 57 runs for the fourth wicket. However, neither could convert their innings into something more substantial.
Shamim Hossain provided a late flourish, smashing 27 off 13, while Mehidy added crucial runs at the end, including a brilliant inside-out six off Obed McCoy in the final over.
Bowling Dominance
Bangladesh’s bowlers were relentless from the start. Hasan Mahmud gave away only 1 run in the first over, while Taskin dismissed Brandon King with his first ball. Mehidy’s spin magic sent Nicholas Pooran (stumped for 1) and Johnson Charles back to the pavilion early. After powerplay, West Indies were 36/3 and soon slumped to 61/7.
Even when Powell and Shepherd staged their fightback, Bangladesh’s bowlers held their nerve, with every bowler contributing except for Tanzim Hasan, who had an off day (4 overs, 47 runs).
Victory on a Special Day
This win was particularly symbolic as it coincided with Bangladesh’s Victory Day—a day of national pride and resilience. The team embodied the spirit of the day, fighting till the end to secure a memorable victory.
Score Summary:
Bangladesh: 147/6 in 20 overs (Soumya 43, Mehidy 26*, Shamim 27; Akeal 4-1-13-2, McCoy 4-0-30-2)
West Indies: 140 in 19.5 overs (Powell 60, Shepherd 22; Mehidy 4-0-13-4, Hasan 3.5-0-18-2, Taskin 4-0-28-2)
Result: Bangladesh won by 7 runs
Series: Bangladesh leads 1-0 in the 3-match series
Player of the Match: Sheikh Mehidy Hasan
