The USA cricket team made history at the Prairie View Cricket Complex in Dallas on Thursday, May 23, by defeating Bangladesh in the second T20I match by six runs, thereby achieving an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. This monumental victory marks the USA’s first-ever series win over a full-member nation of the International Cricket Council (ICC), a significant milestone in the annals of American cricket history.
The match began with the USA winning the crucial toss and deciding to bat first. The decision, however, was met with formidable resistance from the Bangladeshi bowlers. Despite the tenacity of the USA batters, the Bangladeshi attack managed to restrict them to a modest total of 144 runs in their allotted 20 overs.
Monank Patel, the USA team captain, led from the front with a critical 42 runs off 38 balls, providing a semblance of stability to an otherwise faltering lineup. The Bangladeshi bowlers, particularly Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, and Rishad Hossain, were relentless, each taking three wickets and maintaining tight lines and lengths throughout their spells.
Set to chase a meager target of 145 runs, Bangladesh started their innings under pressure. The USA bowlers were quick to capitalize on the early breakthroughs, with Soumya Sarkar falling on the fourth delivery of the innings. Tanzid Hasan, the other opener, couldn’t hold his ground either, managing only 19 runs before being dismissed inside the powerplay. This left Bangladesh at a precarious 30 for 2, necessitating a formidable partnership to anchor the chase.
The responsibility fell on the shoulders of their skipper, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Towhid Hridoy, who scored a half-century in the previous game. The duo managed to stitch together a 48-run partnership for the third wicket, taking 37 balls to do so. The plan seemed to be to lay a solid foundation and negate the dot balls in the latter part of the innings. However, this strategy failed to blossom, with Shanto being run out for 36 off 24 balls due to a disastrous mix-up in the middle.
Hridoy, who seemed to be the linchpin in the chase, also departed soon after, compounding Bangladesh’s woes.
. His dismissal, 13 balls post Shanto’s run-out, left Bangladesh in a precarious position yet again. Shakib Al Hasan emerged as the last beacon of hope for the Bangladeshi supporters, but his valiant 30 off 23 balls was cut short by the disciplined USA bowlers. With his departure on the first delivery of the 18th over, Bangladesh found themselves teetering on the edge.
The USA bowlers showcased remarkable control and tenacity, eventually bundling out Bangladesh for 138 runs in 19.3 overs, ensuring a thrilling six-run victory. Left-arm medium-pacer Saurabh Netravalkar was exceptional, claiming two key wickets while conceding only 15 runs in his three-over spell. Allrounder Shadley van Schalkwyk also made significant contributions, taking two wickets and giving away just 21 runs in his quota of four overs.
This victory by the USA is more than just a win; it signifies a burgeoning cricketing prowess and the growing competitiveness of associate nations against the traditionally dominant full-member countries. The triumph serves as an inspiration for cricketing minnows and showcases the potential for upsets and breakthroughs in the World of cricket.
For Bangladesh, this loss will be a cause of introspection. Having chosen to field first, their plan to restrict the USA to a sub-150 score was executed efficiently. However, the failure to chase a relatively low target reveals frailties in their batting lineup under pressure scenarios. This defeat may trigger strategic re-evaluations before the final game of the series.
As the USA celebrates this landmark achievement, their eyes will be set on continuing this upward trajectory, further cementing their place on the international stage. For cricket fans around the world, this historic victory by the USA adds another exciting chapter to the ever-evolving narrative of cricket, defying expectations and showcasing the sport’s growing global appeal.
In related news, Indian cricketer Ravi Ashwin revealed he played half of IPL 2024 with an injury, RCB shared an emotional dressing room video after an unfortunate end to their memorable IPL campaign, and the Rajasthan Royals are set to face a revitalized Hyderabad in a crucial IPL 2024 Qualifier 2 clash.
