Rovman Powell’s 100th T20 international ended just the way he likes it – bat raised and match in the bag. The West Indies captain finished 44 not out from 28 balls in Chattogram on Monday evening, dragging his side from an awkward middle phase to a defendable 165 for 3 and, eventually, a 16-run victory in the opening match of the three-game series.
Key facts first. West Indies 165 for 3 (Powell 44*, King 46) beat Bangladesh 149 all out (Tanzim Hasan Sakib 33) by 16 runs. The visitors lead the series 1-0 with the next match on Wednesday.
Now, the story behind those numbers.
Powell is only the third West Indian – after Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo – to reach 100 T20Is. The milestone appeared to weigh on him early; he managed a single boundary in his first 22 deliveries and was sitting on 18 when the 19th over began. Mustafizur Rahman offered a cutter in the slot, Powell swiped it over mid-wicket, and the handbrake finally came off. Tanzim Hasan’s final over went for 24, the Jamaican launching three consecutive sixes to finish with a flourish.
“I am very happy,” Powell said. “It is not always that someone gets to play 100 T20Is, especially for West Indies. It shows the hard work that I have done in the duration of my career. A lot of credit goes to my family and friends, and the players with whom I have played these 100 matches. It is very special to get Man-of-the-Match award in my 100th game.”
He added, “I think it’s a batting template that I have used in the last year or two. I have had good success with it. I try to get a start and get into the last five overs when I try to hit as many sixes as possible.”
Shai Hope and Brandon King provided the earlier platform, scoring at just under eight an over on a surface that slowed as it cooled. Bangladesh’s bowlers – Mustafizur typically canny, Shakib Al Hasan miserly – kept things tight until that penultimate over.
Then came the dew. A heavy sheen settled on the outfield and ball alike, turning the evening chase into something closer to an indoor net. Yet Bangladesh could not cash in. They slumped to 29 for 4 inside the powerplay, Akeal Hosein’s left-arm spin and Alzarri Joseph’s pace proving too tidy.
“If one of the main Bangladeshi batters had stayed at the wicket for longer, we would have been under pressure,” Powell admitted. “It was very wet in the end. Having said that, a lot of the credit goes to our bowlers. They stuck to their plans and picked up wickets at critical times.
“We had information about the ground but we didn’t know it would get this wet. Maybe that’s something that we keep in consideration.”
Tanzim Hasan Sakib, a fast bowler promoted to No. 9, top-scored with 33 from 18 to keep the contest alive but the required rate was already pushing uphill. The hosts were dismissed with four balls unused.
Tanzim reflected honestly: “Of course, when there was dew, the ball came on to the bat more easily. If we had one set batsman at that stage, the game would’ve been much easier. In the last couple of overs, a settled batsman always keeps you in the game. We lost four wickets in the powerplay. Even if it had been two, the chase could still have been managed.”
Bangladesh’s record at home in T20 cricket is still sound but they will know Tuesday’s rest day must be used wisely. West Indies, by contrast, have lost their last seven bilateral T20I series and see a chance to end the slide.
“Bangladesh are a tough side at home. We will see if we can continue improving to win the series in the next game,” Powell said, a reminder that one game, even an occasion as personal as this, is only part of a longer journey.
Wednesday offers the next chapter – same ground, likely similar conditions, and a West Indies side one win away from a first series success in nearly two years.
