West Indies suffered a major batting collapse in the run chase and lost the first T20I to Bangladesh by seven runs.
This is their first defeat at the hands of Bangladesh in West Indies. Following the defeat, West Indies captain Rovman Powell said that the team has lost it’s way in T20s of late, a format they used to dominate.
Chasing a target of 148 at Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, West Indies lost seven wickets for 61 runs as Mahedi Hasan bagged a four-wicket haul. Powell revived the run chase with his counter-attacking knock and crucial partnership with Romario Shepherd. However, in the last over, he lost his wicket to Hasan Mahmud and West Indies were bowled out for 140. He also made it clear that Shepherd may get to bat higher up the order.
“It’s just a matter of assessing a bit earlier. We lost wickets, and lost wickets in clusters today. I am getting consistency, trying to lead from the front. It’s always a struggle for us, we need to keep improving with our death bowling. Our batters let us down today. Wanted a left-right combination against the leg-spinner. Hopefully Shepherd will get more opportunity with the bat,” Powell said in his blunt assessment of the match.
The captain scored 60 runs from 35 balls including five fours and four sixes. The second T20I of the series will be played at the same venue on December 17.
West Indies’ slump in recent months
Earlier this year, West Indies failed to make it to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 semifinals despite being co-hosts. After the marquee event, they whitewashed South Africa at home in the three-T20I series at home. However, they were beaten 2-1 by Sri Lanka and 3-1 by England.
Currently, they are fourth in the ICC T20I Team Rankings but risk slipping below New Zealand, South Africa and Pakistan.