A terrific run-chase from the West Indies on Friday night in the third T20 International has enabled them to whitewash Bangladesh.
West Indies wrapped up their tour of Bangladesh in style, defeating the hosts by five wickets at the Bir Shreshtha Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram.
The result gave the visitors a 3-0 series sweep, their first-ever T20I clean sweep outside home.
Chasing 152 for victory, West Indies reached the target with 19 balls to spare, finishing on 152 for 5 in 16.5 overs. After early setbacks that saw Alick Athanaze (1 off 8) and Brandon King (8 off 7) dismissed cheaply, the visitors regrouped through a brisk counterattack.
Roston Chase and Ackeem Auguste led the charge with brilliant half-centuries, keeping the momentum firmly in West Indies’ favour. Chase struck a quickfire 50 off 29 balls, hammering one four five sixes, while Auguste played an equally destructive unbeaten knock of 50 off 25 balls, featuring five fours and one six.
Amir Jangoo (34 off 23) provided a lively cameo at the top, while Rovman Powell remained not out on 5 as the Caribbean side cruised home comfortably.
For Bangladesh, Rishad Hossain picked up 3 for 43, while Mahedi Hasan (1 for 18) and Nasum Ahmed (1 for 29) bowled tidily. However, Taskin Ahmed endured a difficult spell, conceding 50 runs in 3.5 overs, as Bangladesh’s bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught.
Earlier, Bangladesh skipper Litton Das won the toss and opted to bat first, making four changes to the playing XI, Parvez Hossain Emon, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, and Shoriful Islam replacing Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Bangladesh managed 151 runs before being bowled out in the final over, largely due to a magnificent innings from Tanzid Hasan Tamim, who scored a superb 89 off 62 balls with nine fours and four sixes. Despite his brilliance, Bangladesh failed to capitalize as wickets fell regularly around him.
After early dismissals of Emon (9 off 10) and Litton (6 off 9), Tanzid and Saif Hassan (23 off 22) steadied the innings with a crucial 63-run stand for the third wicket. But once Saif departed, the innings lost momentum before Romario Shepherd turned the tide decisively. The pacer claimed 3 for 36, including a hat-trick, dismissing Nurul Hasan Sohan in the last ball of the 17th over, then Tanzid and Shoriful Islam off the first two deliveries in the 20th.
Jason Holder (2-32) and Khary Pierre (2-23) also chipped in with vital breakthroughs, while Akeal Hosein and Roston Chase took one wicket each to restrict Bangladesh to a modest total.
With this win, West Indies completed a commanding 3-0 sweep, adding to their earlier victories by 16 and 14 runs at the same venue. Bangladesh, who had earlier claimed the ODI series 2-1 in Mirpur, were left disappointed as the visitors finished their tour on a dominant note.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
