Toothless Tigers lose T20I series against USA

|| CF DESK ||

The USA secured a historic series win against Bangladesh, clinching the second T20I by six runs in a thrilling match at the Prairie View Cricket Complex in Houston on Thursday.

This victory gave the USA an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series, marking their first series win against an ICC full-member nation.

Opting to bowl first Bangladesh restricted the USA to 144-6 in the first innings.

The USA openers, Steven Taylor and Monank Patel, provided a solid start, adding 44 runs in 6.4 overs for the first wicket.

Left-hander Taylor played some impressive shots, including sixes off Bangladesh's premier bowlers Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman.

However, leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, who took two wickets for 21 runs, struck twice right after the powerplay. He dismissed Taylor, who was looking promising on 31, and the big-hitting Andries Gous.

Aaron Jones (35 off 34) and Patel (42 off 38) spent considerable time at the crease but struggled to accelerate the scoring rate.

Despite losing only two wickets, the USA managed to score just 59 runs in the middle overs (7-15), hindering their chances of posting a higher total.

In the final five overs, the hosts could only add 43 more runs to their tally. The left-arm pace duo of Mustafizur and Shoriful Islam shared four wickets between them, further stifling the USA's scoring efforts.

Chasing a target of 144, Bangladesh was bowled out for 138, with pacer Muhammad Ali Khan emerging as the hero for the USA, claiming three wickets for 25 runs.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy added 48 runs off 37 balls for the third wicket after losing two wickets early in their innings.

However, a miscommunication between Shanto and Hridoy led to Shanto's run-out after scoring 36 off 34 balls. Hridoy, who then held the key to the chase, was dismissed for 25 off 21 balls by Corey Anderson.

The USA gained further momentum when Shadley van Schalkwyk dismissed Mahmudullah and Jaker Ali in consecutive overs for low scores.

Shakib Al Hasan (30 off 23) posed a threat and seemed capable of turning the game in Bangladesh's favor, Muhammad Ali Khan took his crucial wicket, leaving Bangladesh in a precarious position.

Bangladesh needed 12 runs to win in the final over with just one wicket in hand, with Mustafizur and Rishad at the crease.

On the first ball of the over, Mustafizur attempted a risky single as wicket-keeper Monank Patel failed to collect the ball properly and missed the stumps. Rishad then struck a length delivery through cow corner for a four.

With seven runs needed off four balls, Rishad attempted to scoop a fuller delivery but was caught behind, sparking jubilant celebrations from the USA team.

The USA had previously won the first game of the series by five wickets at the same venue.