West Indies VS Bangladesh T20 International Series
1st Match Played at Dominica on 2 July 2022
Bangladesh 105/8 in 13 Overs (Shakib Al Hasan 29, Nurual Hasan Sohan 25, Anamul Haq Bijoy 18, Rovman Sheperd 3/21, Hayden Walsh 2/24)
After the bitter experience of humiliating test series whitewash and painstaking sea ride in Atlantic, Bangladesh was expected turning tide around in T20 International.
The sky was cloudy. Intermittent rain made the prospect uncertain. The start was delayed, the match was reduced to 14 overs. West Indies winning the toss put Bangladesh into bat.
Bangladesh innings was interrupted few times and finally, the match was abandoned at the end of 13th over. Bangladesh reached 105/8. In a rain-curtailed match it was neither a huge score nor a small one. However, rain was the ultimate winner. The teams play the second match at the same venue at the same time before moving to Guyana for the third T20.
The teams considering this series as a preparatory platform chose some fringe players for experimenting the combination. Experienced Anamul Haq Bijoy returned after a while. As start opener Tamim still undecided about his T20I Bangladesh had to let rookie Mumim Shahriar to open. Taskin nursing from injury was not included. Sensing the inherent weakness of the WI against spin and inconsideration of gripping surface Nasum Ahmed was picked as the third specialist spinner.
Munim could not survive long falling in the very first over to Hayden Walsh. Anamul and Shakib carried out a brief but savage counter attacking plundering 34 runs in 18 deliveries before Anamul was trapped in front by Obed McCoy scoring 18 in 10 deliveries. Shakib and Mahmudullah added 20. With the removal of Shakib and Mahmudullah Bangladesh innings lost momentum. Shakib chased a wide delivery and Mahmudullah failed to a brilliant catch by Walsh Shepherd. Match was interrupted once more. When resumed Bangladesh lost two more quick wickets looking terrible at 7/77. Sohan struck some hefty blows racing to 25 in 16 deliveries. The rain came once more as Bangladesh improved to 105/8 by the 13th over. The match was called off. Ironically after the official announcement sky got clear and the sun started shining.
Looking at the composition of the two teams Bangladesh has more experience and better quality. If they play to potential playing smarter cricket Bangladesh should win the series. For the Dominicans, it was a great day as cricket returned to a refurbished stadium devastated by a major cyclone in 2017. The islanders are reputedly very hospitable and do everything for entertaining the visitors.
BDST: 1322 HRS, July 3, 2022
SMS
