CHATTOGRAM, Bangladesh (AP) — West Indies recovered from a sluggish start to beat Bangladesh by 16 runs in the three-match Twenty20 series opener on Monday.

A late blitz from skipper Shai Hope and Rovman Powell, who combined for 51 runs in the last three overs, lifted the West Indies to a challenging total of 165-3. Bangladesh was bowled out for 149 in 19.4 overs, paying the price for reckless batting by the specialists.

Jason Holder led the West Indies bowling attack with figures of 3-31, while fellow fast bowler Jayden Seales cleaned up the tail, finishing with 3-32.

Hope won the toss and cited a batting-friendly pitch, but openers Brandon King and Alick Athanaze managed only 36 runs in the powerplay as they struggled against Nasum Ahmed’s spin. Although Nasum went wicket-less, he was economical, conceding just 15 runs in four overs.

Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain broke through by dismissing Athanaze for 36, ending a 59-run partnership with King. Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed struck twice in consecutive deliveries, including the wicket of King, who scored 33 off 36 balls.

Hope then anchored the innings, and he and Powell flourished in the death overs. Hope smashed three sixes in a row in the 22-run last over. His 28-ball 46 and Powell’s 28-ball 44 combined for an unbeaten 83 runs off 46 balls, laying the platform for victory.

Bangladesh’s Tanzid Hasan started confidently, hitting left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein for a four and six in the first over, but was dismissed in the second over. Four of Bangladesh’s top five batters fell within the next 25 balls, leaving the hosts struggling at 57-5 in the ninth over.

Towhid Hridoy attempted to steady the innings but was out for 28 to a slow bouncer by Seales. The lower order made a late surge, including Tanzim Hasan Sakib’s team-best 33, but the damage was already done.

The second match of the series is scheduled for Wednesday.

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AP Cricket
https://wtop.com/sports/2025/10/hope-and-powell-set-up-west-indies-win-over-bangladesh-in-t20-series-opener/