USA Clinches Series Victory Over Bangladesh
The Indo-Pakistani opening bowling duo, Saurabh Netravalkar and Ali Khan, spearheaded the United States of America’s (USA) narrow six-run victory over Bangladesh in the second Twenty20 International (T20I) on Thursday, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Netravalkar, a former Mumbai and India U-19 pacer, delivered early breakthroughs with figures of 2/15 in three overs. Ali Khan, who moved to the US from Pakistan at the age of 16, wrapped up the innings with 3/25 in 3.3 overs, defending a modest total of 144 at the Prairie View Cricket Complex. Netravalkar struck first, and Ali Khan dismissed key player Shakib Al Hasan, who scored 30 off 23 balls. Shadley van Schalkwyk contributed with 2/21, while Jasdeep Singh and Corey Anderson took one wicket each, bundling out Bangladesh for 138 in 19.3 overs.
Batting first, the USA posted 144/6 in 20 overs, with Shoriful Islam (2/29), Mustafizur Rahman (2/31), and Rishad Hossain (2/21) sharing the wickets for Bangladesh. Captain Monank Patel and Steven Taylor provided a solid start with a 44-run opening partnership. Taylor scored 31 off 28 balls before falling to Rishad Hossain. Despite a first-ball duck for Andries Gous, Patel anchored the innings with 42 off 38 balls, supported by Aaron Jones (35 off 34 balls). Corey Anderson added a quick 11 off 10 balls.
In their chase, Bangladesh’s early loss of Soumya Sarkar and Tanzid Hasan set them back to 30/2 in the fifth over. Captain Najmal Hossain Shanto (36) and Towhid Hridoy (25) steadied the innings, taking the score to 78 before Shanto was run out by Anderson. Hridoy was subsequently bowled by Anderson, and Mahmudullah’s early dismissal left Bangladesh at 106/5 in the 15th over. Despite Shakib’s presence, Bangladesh’s lower order collapsed, losing five wickets for just 14 runs, sealing their defeat.
