 "USA stun Bangladesh again to take unassailable T20 series lead as pacer Ali Khan shines")
Bangladesh suffered another defeat to the United States as the Tigers lost the second T20 on Thursday by six runs at Houston. This was USA’s second consecutive win over Bangladesh and they have taken a 2-0 lead in the three-match T20 series.
The Tigers were handed a target of 145 to win and were cruising to the target at 78/2 but lost the final eight wickets for just 60 runs as the USA took an unassailable series lead. Bangladesh had lost the opening match by five wickets.
For the USA, pacer Ali Khan took 3 wickets for 25 runs while Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (36) and former captain Shakib Al Hasan (30) were the top run-makers in a total of 138 for the visitors.
“A lot of credit goes to the bowlers. They really put in the effort and brought their A-Game to restrict the Bangladeshi batsmen,” said man-of-the-match Khan.
“We took wickets at crucial stages and that put the pressure back on Bangladesh.”
The series defeat to an associate team has come as a big blow for Bangladesh just ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 which starts on 1 June and will be played in the United States and Caribbean.
“I think it’s very disappointing for us, we lost wickets I think in almost every over in the middle,” said Shanto.
“I hope we can play some good cricket in the next match. I think it’s not a problem with the skills. We should change our mentality and mindset.”
Impact Shorts
More ShortsUSA batted first and scored 144/6 with captain Monank Patel making 42 off 38 balls.
In reply, Bangladesh were rocked early on as opener Soumya Sarkar was caught and bowled by Saurabh Netravalkar without scoring after just four balls.
They were then reduced to 30-2 in the fifth over when fellow opener Tanzid Hasan, who recently replaced Liton Das, was clean-bowled by Jasdeep Singh for 19.
Still at 78/2, Bangladesh were in control but lost captain Shanto to run out after an embarrassing mix-up with Towhid Hridoy.
His dismissal led to a quick collapse for Bangladesh who are ninth in ICC world rankings as compared to the USA at 19.
Former New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson bowled Hridoy for 25 before 38-year-old veteran Mahmudullah (3) was also cleaned up by left-arm seamer Shadley van Schalkwyk.
Schalkwyk got the wicket of Jaker Ali as well and Shakib’s dismissal to Khan had Bangladesh reeling at 124/7.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib was trapped in front for LBW by Khan, and Shoriful Islam was removed by Netravalkar before Khan got Rishad Hossain caught behind to win the match for the USA.
The third T20 will also take place in Houston on Saturday.
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