Critical Series Win: USA Defeats Bangladesh!

The USA Secures Stunning Series Victory Against Bangladesh Ahead of T20 World Cup

The USA achieved a shocking series victory against Bangladesh ahead of the T20 World Cup. Bangladesh was defeated by the host team in the second T20 match just days before the start of the T20 World Cup. The USA won by six runs, securing a surprise victory in the three-match series held in Houston, Texas.

On Thursday, chasing a modest target of 145, Bangladesh collapsed from a strong position of 78-2 to 138 all out, losing their last eight wickets for 60 runs just two days after losing the opening match by five wickets. Fast bowler Ali Khan claimed 3-25 for the home team, while Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (36) and former captain Shakib Al Hasan (30) were the top scorers for their team.

Man of the Match Khan said, “A lot of credit goes to the bowlers. They really worked hard to restrict the Bangladeshi batsmen and brought their A-game. We took wickets at crucial stages and that increased the pressure on Bangladesh.”

The series is part of the preparations for the Twenty20 World Cup, which will start on June 1 in the USA and the Caribbean. The final match of the series will also be played in Houston on Saturday.

Shanto said, “I think this is a big disappointment for us. I think we lost wickets almost everywhere in the middle. I hope we can play good cricket in the next match. I don’t think there is a problem with talent. We need to change our mindset.”

Having restricted the USA to 144-6 in 20 overs, Bangladesh was shaken just four balls into their innings when opening batsman Soumya Sarkar was caught by Saurabh Netravalkar without scoring. In the fifth over, with the score at 30-2, Tanzid Hasan, who replaced experienced batsman Liton Das, was bowled for 19 by Jasdeep Singh.

At 78-2, Bangladesh appeared to be in control, but then lost captain Shanto after a mix-up with Towhid Hridoy. His departure led to a rapid collapse, with the USA, ranked 19th in the world, taking advantage of the situation against the ninth-ranked Bangladesh. Hridoy was dismissed for 25 by former New Zealand star Corey Anderson before 38-year-old Mahmudullah, a veteran of 130 T20 matches, was bowled for 3 by left-arm seamer Shadley van Schalkwyk.

The same bowler sent back Jaker Ali, and when Shakib, playing his 121st T20 international, was bowled by Khan, Bangladesh was 124-7 and staring at defeat. Tanzim Hasan Sakib fell to Khan, and Shoriful Islam was caught by Netravalkar before Khan finished the match by catching the last man, Rishad Hossain.