The USA stunned a full-strength Bangladesh team for the second consecutive time in a 3-match T20I series in Houston, making history. The Asian side received a major wake-up call before the T20 World Cup, with the USA outperforming expectations to secure an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the series. Bangladesh were bowled out for 138 in 19.3 overs, falling short of the 145-run target at the Prairie View Cricket Complex. 

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The former KKR fast bowler Ali Khan was the standout performer, taking 3 wickets, including that of Shakib Al Hasan, to lead the USA to a historic series win—their first against a Test-playing nation in T20 cricket. This victory is a significant boost for the USA national team ahead of the T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the USA and the West Indies starting June 1. 

 After successfully chasing a 154-run target in the first T20I on Tuesday, May 21, the USA team entered the second T20I with high confidence. This was evident in their energized body language, particularly while defending a total on a sluggish Houston pitch. Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bowl, but their new ball bowlers struggled to unsettle the USA openers. Captain Monak Patel and Steven Taylor maintained the momentum with a 44-run partnership off 39 balls on a two-paced pitch. 

Monak Patel’s innings proved pivotal as he adeptly assessed the conditions, helping the USA post a competitive total. Aaron Jones contributed a crucial 35 in a 60-run partnership for the third wicket with the captain. Although first T20I heroes Corey Anderson and Harmeet Singh did not perform as well on Thursday, the USA managed to add 40 runs in the last four overs, thanks to late-order hitting from Nitin Kumar and van Schalkwyk. 

This result is very disappointing: Shanto 

The skipper of Bangladesh reflected on that the loss by stating that the result from this series is very disappointed. Shanto also hoped that the team have the opportunity to win the last match of the series. Also, Shanto provided a solid start alongside Tanzid Hasan, despite the early loss of Soumya Sarkar for 0 in the first over of their chase. The middle order also made valuable contributions, with Towhid Hridoy and Shakib Al Hasan chipping in effectively. 

“This result is very disappointing. But we have an opportunity to come back in the third game and win before the T20 World Cup. It’s not about the skill, we need to change our mindset,” Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said.