West Indies defeated Bangladesh by 16 runs in the first T20I of the three-match series at Chattogram. The visitors posted 165/3 on the scoreboard in 20 overs, with the help of a fine batting display by Shai Hope and Rovman Powell.

Hope, along with Powell—who was playing his 100th T20I—turned the innings around with a late burst of sixes that lifted West Indies to 165 for 3.

While chasing, Bangladesh faltered early, collapsing to 42 for 4 inside the powerplay. Despite a brief fightback later, they were eventually bowled out for 149. Jason Holder (3/31 in 4 overs) and Jayden Seales (3/32 in 4 overs) dismantled the Bangladesh innings. Akeal Hosein also picked up two key wickets during the powerplay.

However, it was Hope and Powell’s unbeaten 83-run partnership for the fourth wicket that truly sealed the win for the West Indies.

Nasum Keeps Early Pressure

Bangladesh started strongly with the ball, led by left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed. Though he went wicketless, his tight spell of 15 runs from four overs kept the West Indies quiet during the middle overs.

Openers Brandon King and Alick Athanaze batted steadily, hitting one six each as they shared a cautious start that lasted 8.2 overs. Rishad Hossain then broke the stand, bowling Athanaze for 34 after the batter missed a reverse sweep. Soon after, Taskin Ahmed dismissed King for 33, caught at deep square leg.

Taskin struck again, removing Sherfane Rutherford for a golden duck. Even though Hope managed a couple of sixes, the scoring rate stayed low. Nasum ended his economical spell with another tidy over in the 15th, keeping the pressure on the visitors.

Hope and Powell Turn the Game

After a slow middle phase, Hope and Powell unleashed an aggressive finish. Hope attacked Rishad with two sixes, but even with three overs left, West Indies still looked short of a competitive total.

Hope then lifted a Taskin half-volley for his fourth six to start the 18th over. Powell joined the charge late, launching Mustafizur Rahman for a massive 102-metre six. He followed it up with three consecutive sixes off Tanzim Hasan in the final over—one off a full toss and two straight hits.

In the last three overs, West Indies added 51 runs, completely shifting the momentum of the match.

Bangladesh Collapse Early

Chasing 166, Bangladesh’s innings fell apart within the first six overs. Tanzid Hasan began aggressively but lasted only five balls before Romario Shepherd pulled off a sharp catch running back from mid-on.

Captain Litton Das followed soon, playing a soft shot that popped back to bowler Akeal Hosein, who caught it instinctively. Hosein struck again, dismissing Saif Hassan for attempting a sweep.

When Jason Holder bowled Shamim Hossain in the fifth over, Bangladesh were reeling with most of their top order gone. By the end of the powerplay, only a few specialist batters remained.

Tanzim and Nasum Show Resistance

Bangladesh kept losing wickets as Khary Pierre bowled Nurul Hasan off an inside edge in the ninth over. Towhid Hridoy tried to steady the chase but managed only 28 off 25 balls before falling to Seales.

Tanzim Hasan and Nasum Ahmed then added 40 runs for the seventh wicket, bringing brief hope for the hosts. Tanzim hit a six and three fours in his 33 off 27 balls, but Holder dismissed him in the 16th over.

Nasum struck another boundary but soon became Seales’ third victim in the next over. Holder later removed Rishad Hossain, who mistimed his shot to long-off. The innings ended dramatically when Taskin Ahmed stepped on his stumps in the final over after hitting Holder for a six earlier.