Bangladesh vs West Indies: T20I series, game 3 of 3: Prolific Pooran, masterful Mayers lead West Indies to T20I series win

By Brandon Corlette

International cricket returned to Providence for the first time since July 2021 when approximately 500 spectators watched West Indies beat Bangladesh by five wickets in the third and final T20I.

On the back of Kyle Mayers’s maiden T20I fifty and Nicholas Pooran’s ninth T20I fifty, West Indies ended on 169-5 in 18.2 overs, to claim the three-match series 2-0.
West Indies began the chase with Brandon King slamming left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed for a six over mid-wicket. He then attempted to play a lofted shot but found mid-on, and was dismissed for seven, with West Indies on 9-1 in the first over.
Shamarh Brooks came and played some shots that were easy on the eyes in making a run-a-ball 12, and the West Indies were reduced to 22-2 in 3.2 overs.

Odean Smith was promoted to number four, but he was trapped for two, placing West Indies at 43-3 in 6.1 overs.
“Player of the match” and “player of the series”, Nicholas Pooran, joined Mayers, and the duo took control. Mayers then took on Ahmed, clipping him for a boundary and smoking him for a six over long-off. Mayers played the shot of the match, a 90-metre pull-shot over square leg that took their partnership past 50. Mayers and Pooran added 85 runs for the fourth-wicket, a stand that took the game out of Bagladesh’s reach.
Mayers eventually hit one up in the air and was caught for 55 from 38 balls. He had an innings that was laced with five sixes and two fours.

Rovman Powell, looking for a six over long-off, found the fielder and was caught for five, placing the West Indies at 153-5, requiring 11 from 16 balls. However, the Trinidadian duo of Akeal Hosein and Nicholas Pooran ensured no further hiccups as West Indies stormed to an easy five-wicket win in 18.2 overs.
Captain Pooran, who sealed the match with a six down long-off, ended the game on 74 from 39 balls. His innings included five fours and five sixes. Nasum Ahmed had 2-44 for Bangladesh.

Hossain and Das prop up Bangladesh
Earlier, Bangladesh had won the toss and opted to bat first. Despite overnight and morning showers, Providence was ready to host the match from 14:00h with the full quota of 20 overs.
Dominic Drakes came into the team, replacing the unwell Keemo Paul. Bangladesh reached 35, and then lost their first wicket when Anamul Haque was caught by Akeal Hosein for 10 off Odean Smith.
Das continued to play some delightful shots, while Shakib Al Hasan looked to threaten. However, he was removed by son of the soil Romario Shepherd at 42-2 after 5.3 overs. While the surface was not of the quickest, Das played some sweet shots, including a six over extra-cover. He and Afif Hossain stitched together a 47-run partnership for the third wicket. Das missed out on his half-century, scoring 49 from 41 balls, including three fours and two sixes.

Captain Mahmudullah partnered Hossain at 99-3 in 12.5 overs, and the duo looked to finish the innings on a high. At that stage, more spectators entered Providence, and Hossain was looking to entertain. He took Shepherd for 16 runs in the 16th over, and Bangladesh were in control at 129-3 after 16 overs.
Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah then attempted to reverse, but was trapped leg-before for 22 by Hayden Walsh, carrying the innings to 148-4 and ending a 49-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Hossain was then run out for a 38-ball 50, which was decorated with two fours and two sixes. He was run out by the sharp Rovman Powell with Bangladesh on 150-5 in 18.5 overs.
Mosaddek Hossain came and struck two boundaries to propel Bangladesh to 163-5 when overs expired.
Walsh was the pick of the Windies bowlers with 2-25 in four overs. Smith was expensive with 1-34 from three overs, yielding 20 runs in the 12th over. Shepherd picked up 1-19 in two overs.
The teams will shift focus to the ODI series, starting on Sunday July 10 from 9:30h Eastern Caribbean time.