- USA defeated Bangladesh in the second T20I.
- Bangladesh failed to chase a target of 145 runs.
- The series serves as a warm-up for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The Asian team received a significant reality check from the USA ahead of the T20 World Cup, as the latter outperformed expectations to secure an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the series.
Bangladesh were dismissed for 138 in 19.3 overs, failing to reach a target of 145 runs.
Chasing a modest target of 145, Bangladesh had the worst possible start when Saurabh Netravalkar brilliantly caught a return off his own bowling to dismiss Soumya Sarkar in the opening over.
Tanzid Hasan, who replaced Litton Das, started well with a four and a six, but his progress was halted when Jessy Singh struck in his first over. Tanzid scored 19 off 15 deliveries.
Despite losing two early wickets, the visitors were on track as captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy added 48 runs off 37 balls for the third wicket, putting them in a commanding position.
However, the well-set Shanto (36 off 34) was run out following a miscommunication with Hridoy. Hridoy (25 off 21), who was crucial after Shanto’s dismissal, was dismissed by Corey Anderson.
Shakib (30 off 23) posed a threat to the hosts, but Khan dismissed him, leaving Bangladesh in a difficult situation.
Khan and Netravalkar delivered two excellent overs towards the end, leaving Bangladesh with the daunting task of scoring 12 runs in the final over with only one wicket left.
Rishad Hossain then hit Khan for a boundary, reducing the requirement to seven off four balls. However, he failed to get the ball over the keeper’s head on the next delivery. The ball brushed the bat on its way to USA captain Patel, sealing the match for Bangladesh.
Earlier, Bangladesh limited the USA to 144-6. USA openers Steven Taylor and Monank Patel had a good start, amassing 44 runs off 6.4 overs for the first wicket.
Left-handed Taylor displayed some impressive shots, including maximums off Bangladesh’s top bowlers Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman.
Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain (two for 21) took two important wickets immediately after the powerplay, dismissing Taylor, who was batting well on 31, and the hard-hitting Andries Gous.
Aaron Jones (35 off 34) and Patel (42 off 38) spent some time at the crease but couldn’t accelerate as much as they had hoped.
The USA could only manage 59 runs in the middle overs (7-15) despite losing just two wickets, which hindered their ability to set a larger total.
The hosts could only gather 43 runs in the final five overs.
The left-arm pace duo of Mustafizur and Shoriful Islam took four wickets between them.
The three-match series serves as a warm-up for the Twenty20 World Cup in the United States and the Caribbean, which begins on June 1.
The final match is also scheduled to take place in Houston on Saturday.
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