Bangladesh fell behind in the series after losing the first T20 against West Indies due to a batting collapse.
Chasing West Indies’ 165, Bangladesh kept their hopes alive until the final over. However, the recognized batsmen were dismissed by the 12th over. After the defeat, pace-bowling all-rounder Tanzim Hasan expressed his regret, saying that if any top or middle-order batsman had stayed longer, the outcome could have been different.
In Chattogram on Monday, Bangladesh lost four wickets during the powerplay and found themselves in trouble. When Towhid Hriday, the last recognized batsman, was dismissed, Bangladesh were 77 for six after 12 overs.
Tanzim then put together a small partnership with Nasum Ahmed to revive some hope. But after Tanzim’s dismissal — 40 runs off 23 balls — the highest partnership was broken, and Bangladesh couldn’t recover. With three balls remaining, Liton Kumar Das’ team were bowled out for 149, falling short by 16 runs.
“The ball was coming onto the bat nicely due to dew in the night,” Tanzim said at the post-match press conference, reflecting on the missed opportunity. “I think if a settled batsman had been there, the match could have been much easier. In the last two overs, 30 runs were required, and with one composed batter, the game would have been in our hands.”
Tanzim also expressed regret over his own innings not lasting longer.
“I would have loved to finish the match myself. The ball was coming nicely onto the bat, I was set, and Nasum was supporting well and hitting boundaries. It felt like I was batting with just one partner. If I had stayed a bit longer, maybe we could have taken the match to the very end. Rishad would have come in too, and the game might have been different.”
Tanzim felt the middle-order batsmen should have taken more responsibility.
“We lost wickets in the powerplay. If they had stayed longer, the picture could have been different. But most of them got out before they could settle. I think the middle-order batsmen could have taken a bit more responsibility. If they had carried the innings deeper, the story might have been different.”
Bangladesh will face West Indies again on Wednesday in the second T20, aiming to keep the series alive.
