In a historic match held in Kingstown, Bangladesh achieved a remarkable 3-0 series victory over the West Indies, securing an impressive 80-run triumph. This success was largely attributed to Jaker Ali’s outstanding performance, scoring an unbeaten 72 runs off 41 balls, which was bolstered by a strong start from the top-order batsmen. Bangladesh set a new record for their highest T20I total in the West Indies, finishing at 189 for 7. The bowling unit then executed a disciplined performance, dismissing the West Indies for a mere 109 runs in just 17 overs, marking the visitors’ largest victory margin in terms of runs.
Jaker Ali's carnage takes Bangladesh to a record breaking total
With a 2-0 lead in the series, Bangladesh chose to bat first and benefited from a rapid opening partnership of 44 runs, primarily driven by Parvez Hossain Emon, who scored 39 runs off 21 balls. Although Bangladesh lost both openers quickly by the end of the PowerPlay, they established a solid foundation at 54/2. Tanzid Hasan was unable to capitalize on this start, but Jaker continued to lead the innings effectively.
At a score of 65/3, Jaker partnered with Mehidy Hasan Miraz to stabilize the innings with a 37-run partnership. Roston Chase provided his team with a crucial breakthrough, which initiated a brief collapse as both Shamim Hossain and Mahedi Hasan were run out within three deliveries. In a moment of confusion, Jaker was initially dismissed following the first run-out but was subsequently recalled after a review.
As Bangladesh found themselves at 114/6 in the 15th over, Jaker accelerated his scoring and formed a fifty-run partnership with Tanzin Hasan Sakib, enabling his team to finish strongly. At the time of his recall, he had scored 17 runs off 16 balls, but he then unleashed a powerful performance, amassing 55 runs off 25 balls. Alzarri Joseph bore the brunt of his assault, conceding 12 and 25 runs in his last two overs, with Jaker hitting four sixes and two fours off the fast bowler.
West Indies fail to chase the target as they fall out at a low score
Bangladesh bowlers, having previously defended scores of 147 and 129, had a solid foundation to pursue their first T20I series sweep against the West Indies. Taskin Ahmed made an immediate impact, dismissing Brandon King LBW with just his second delivery in the opening over of the West Indies’ innings. Although Nicholas Pooran provided some excitement, the hosts could only muster 45 runs during the powerplay and lost two additional wickets in that period, including Mahedi Hasan, who achieved a series-wide hat-trick by claiming Pooran’s wicket.
Romario Shepherd was the only West Indies batsman to offer any resistance, as the rest of the lineup struggled to apply themselves in the challenging chase. The increasing required run rate intensified the pressure, allowing the Bangladesh bowlers to maintain their superiority. Each of the five bowlers utilized took at least one wicket, with Rishad Hossain standing out by taking 3 wickets for 21 runs in his four overs.
Rishad continued to excel, claiming three wickets in total. He had Rovman Powell caught behind in the tenth over with a well-placed delivery, leaving the West Indies at 60 for 6. In his final over, the 15th of the innings, Rishad dismissed Motie with a catch straight down the ground, while Joseph offered a simple catch to Hasan at extra cover. Tanzim and Taskin then accounted for the last two wickets, igniting celebrations within the Bangladesh camp.
SCORECARD: Bangladesh 189/7 in 20 overs (Jaker Ali 72*, Parvez Hossain Emon 39; Romario Shepherd 2-30) beat West Indies 109 in 16.4 overs (romario Shepherd 33; Rishad hossain 3-21, Mahedi Hasan 2-13) by 80 runs
Litton Das on becoming the captain of the Bangladesh Cricket Team
Bangladesh’s stand-in captain, Litton Das, expressed his willingness on Thursday (December 19) to assume the captaincy on a long-term basis if the Bangladesh Cricket Board extends the offer. Litton has previously held the captaincy before being replaced, and he was called upon to lead the team in the West Indies due to the absence of Najmul Hossain, who was sidelined by injury.
While the Bangladesh Cricket Board appointed Mehidy Hasan Miraz as the captain for both the ODI and Test formats, they chose to reinstate Litton for the T20I series. He demonstrated exceptional leadership, guiding the team to a 3-0 series victory over the West Indies.
It has been reported that the BCB is in search of a long-term captain for the T20 format, particularly in light of Najmul’s performance in T20Is. Initially, Najmul informed the board of his reluctance to lead the T20I team, but he later changed his mind. His decision to captain any format was ultimately influenced by BCB president Faruque Ahmed, leading to his appointment as captain for the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, during which he sustained an injury.
“As far as captaincy is concerned, if the BCB asks me to lead then I am ready to do it because there is no reason [not to] and I am enjoying it,” Litton told reporters after the win. “I take a lot of decisions on the field from the experience that I have got playing for so long and the skill that the bowlers developed it is easier to run the show on the field.
“As a captain I never said that you give everything [on the field]. All I said was that they [West Indies] are a better side and on their day they can destroy at their home ground and so the information was like we will go and enjoy the cricket and whatever the result we will take that with a smiling face and we will try to fulfill our responsibility,” he said.
Litton credited the bowling unit for their extraordinary performance and insisted that it is easier for him to lead the side as the bowlers are taking their own responsibility like setting their own field among others.
“Overall if I have to say our bowling attack was outstanding and the way they bowled in three formats, both the pacers and spinners. I was behind the wickets and I was feeling good as every batter was struggling. The thing is that if the bowlers bowl well, behind the wickets it gets easier for me and like I said the bowlers know what kind of field set-up they need so it’s easy for me.”
“Look, they are a better side and I would say that and on their home ground they are a good side. But, when five bowlers bowl well and from top to bottom we have a balanced batting unit – I won’t say we have an destructive batting unit but we have a balanced side – and if we can put some runs on the board I feel the bowlers are developing their skill and every match the bowlers took responsibility on their own. They are doing their own field set-up and learning a lot of things and I feel that it is good sign,” he said.
