When the United States of America took on Bangladesh in the first T20I of the three-match series everyone would have thought that it would be a walk in the park for the Test-playing nation. But the Monak Patel-led side had other ideas. Choosing to bowl first after winning the toss USA got off to a good start as Bangladesh lost three wickets in the first seven overs with just 51 runs on the board courtesy of some good new ball bowling from the American bowlers led by Ali Khan who picked up four wickets in the match.
The Support
He was well supported by other bowlers, especially Steven Taylor who bowled a decisive spell picking up two wickets in three overs giving away just nine runs in the process which helped the team in restricting Bangladesh to a chasable score of 153 for the loss of five wickets. Towhid Hridoy was the standout performer for Bangladesh as the right-hander scored a fighting half-century and was well supported by experienced Mahamudullah who chipped in with a valuable contribution of 31 runs which ensured that Bangladesh post a respectable total on the board.
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The Chase
Chasing a total of 154 USA started in an attacking manner as the opening pair of captain Monak Patel and Steven Taylor added 27 runs for the first wicket in 3.1 overs. As the pair started to look threatening Monak Patel lost his wicket courtesy of a run out. Having lost their captain the pair of Steven Taylor and Andries Gous tried to rebuild the innings and added 38 runs for the second wicket before Andries Gous was dismissed which gave Bangladesh a chance to come back in the game. They did so by picking wickets at regular intervals in the middle overs as USA was reduced to 94/5 after 14.5 and needed another 60 runs in 31 balls.
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The Comeback
Having lost half their side USA was in desperate need of a partnership and the duo of former Indian player Harmeet Singh and former New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson did that by adding 62 runs for the fifth wicket and guiding the team to its first win in International Cricket against a Test playing nation.
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The Effort
The Bangladeshi bowlers did try their best to defend a par score on a wicket which proved to be a batting paradise for the batters as the ball was coming nicely on the bat, especially in the second innings when the moisture from the surface dried up. The second match of the three-match T20 series will be played on 23 May.
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