In a thrilling encounter at Prairie View, Houston, on Tuesday, the USA cricket team achieved a historic five-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first T20I of their three-match series. This match marked the first-ever international meeting between the two teams, with the USA pulling off one of the biggest upsets in Twenty20 cricket history.
Bangladesh’s innings got off to a shaky start, struggling to find momentum against the USA’s economical bowling attack, spearheaded by Steven Taylor. Key batters Litton Das and Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto were dismissed cheaply, putting the visitors under early pressure. Soumya Sarkar offered a glimmer of hope with a brisk 20 off 13 balls but was unable to capitalize on his start. Star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan also fell quickly, managing just six runs.
At 68-4, Bangladesh’s prospects looked dim. However, a resilient partnership between Mahmudullah Riyad and Towhid Hridoy revived their innings. The duo added a crucial 67 runs in just 47 balls, with Hridoy maintaining his composure to score a vital 58 off 47 deliveries. Their efforts lifted Bangladesh to a respectable total of 153 runs.
The USA began their chase confidently, with openers Steven Taylor and Monank Patel scoring 28 and 12 runs, respectively. Andries Gous then took charge, smashing 33 off 18 balls to keep the hosts in contention.
With 56 runs required from the final four overs, Harmeet Singh and Corey Anderson showcased their batting prowess. Anderson contributed a steady 34 off 25 balls, while Harmeet Singh played a blistering knock of 33 off just 13 balls. Their explosive partnership of 62 runs off 28 balls sealed the match for the USA.
The USA’s five-wicket triumph marked their first-ever victory over a full national Test team, creating a landmark moment in their cricketing history. The win not only highlighted the potential of the USA cricket team but also set the stage for an exciting series ahead.
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