Bangladesh secured a remarkable 3-0 series victory over the West Indies in the third T20 International at the Arnos Vale Stadium, St. Vincent, on Thursday. A scintillating unbeaten knock of 72 by Jaker Ali was the highlight of the game, leading the visitors to an emphatic 80-run triumph. Jaker’s innings, studded with six sixes and three fours off just 41 balls, propelled Bangladesh to an imposing 189 for seven after captain Litton Das chose to bat first.
Jaker Ali’s Blistering Knock: A Game-Changer
Jaker Ali’s innings proved pivotal, particularly after a dramatic moment of reprieve. On 18 runs, Jaker narrowly escaped a run-out decision following a mix-up with Shamim Hossain. Television replays confirmed that Jaker had made his ground, shifting the dismissal onto Shamim instead. Unfazed by the incident, Jaker shifted gears to launch an explosive assault on the West Indies bowlers, showcasing his fearless batting style.
Debutant opener Parvez Hossain Emon also contributed significantly, scoring 39 off 21 balls in the absence of the injured Soumya Sarkar. Together, Emon and Jaker set the stage for Bangladesh’s formidable total, leaving the opposition under immense pressure.
West Indies Falter in Chase
The West Indies’ response was underwhelming from the start. Losing Brandon King to the second ball of the innings, the hosts struggled to recover and were bowled out for just 109 in 16.4 overs. All-rounder Romario Shepherd top-scored with 33 runs, but the rest of the batting lineup failed to put up resistance.
Bangladesh’s bowling attack was spearheaded by wrist-spinner Rishad Hossain, who claimed three wickets for 21 runs. Mahedi Hasan, named “Man of the Series,” and seamer Taskin Ahmed picked up two wickets each. Taskin set the tone by trapping King leg-before early in the innings and later sealed the victory by bowling Obed McCoy.
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Bangladesh’s Tactical Brilliance
The win showcased Bangladesh’s all-round superiority in the series. With a balanced contribution from both batters and bowlers, the team capitalized on key moments to maintain dominance. Shamim Hossain, despite the earlier run-out mix-up, showed great sportsmanship by embracing Jaker at the end of the innings, underlining the team’s unity and morale.
This clean sweep not only demonstrated Bangladesh’s growing prowess in T20 cricket but also highlighted their ability to handle pressure situations effectively. The series victory serves as a morale booster as they prepare for upcoming international challenges.