USA stuns Bangladesh with thrilling five-wicket victory in Texas
TEXAS: In a stunning turn of events, the United States cricket team, ranked 19th in T20Is, defeated Bangladesh, the world’s ninth-ranked team, by five wickets in a gripping match held in Texas. This victory not only gave the USA a 1-0 lead in the three-match series but also marked their second win against a Full Member nation, following their triumph over Ireland in 2021.
The match saw a brilliant performance from Harmeet Singh, a former India Under-19 cricketer, who turned the game around with his explosive batting. Chasing a target of 154, Singh hit three consecutive sixes, swinging the momentum firmly in favor of the hosts. He remained unbeaten on 33 off just 13 balls, forming an unbroken sixth-wicket partnership of 62 runs with Corey Anderson, who also played a crucial role with his 34 not out.
Earlier in the game, the USA bowlers put up an impressive show, restricting Bangladesh to 156 for 4. The visitors struggled at 68 for 4, with key players Litton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto failing to make significant contributions. Towhid Hridoy and Mahmudullah then stepped up, rescuing their team from a precarious situation. Hridoy top-scored with 58 and added 67 runs for the fifth wicket with Mahmudullah, who adapted well to the conditions.
Litton Das had a particularly tough day, managing only 14 runs before falling in the fifth over. His innings was marred by missed opportunities, including a dropped catch by USA captain Monank Patel and a botched run-out chance.
This historic win for the USA highlights their growing potential in international cricket, as they continue to make strides against more established teams.
