The recently concluded USA vs Bangladesh cricket series, held at the Prairie View Cricket Complex in Houston, has marked a significant milestone for cricket in the United States. Played across three matches on May 21, May 23, and May 25, this series showcased the rising standards of American cricket against a seasoned opponent in Bangladesh.

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Match Summaries

1st T20I - May 21, 2024:

Bangladesh, batting first, posted a competitive total of 153/6 in their 20 overs. Towhid Hridoy anchored the innings with a solid 58 off 47 balls, supported by Mahmudullah who contributed a quick 31 off 22 balls. The USA bowlers managed to keep the score in check, with Steven Taylor being the standout with figures of 2/9.

In reply, the USA had a shaky start, losing their skipper Monank Patel to an unfortunate run-out early in the innings. Despite this setback, Steven Taylor (28 off 29) and Corey Anderson (34* off 25) steadied the innings. The game took a dramatic turn in the 12th over when Mustafizur Rahman struck twice, dismissing Taylor and Aaron Jones to put Bangladesh in a strong position.

However, the match saw a remarkable turnaround thanks to Harmeet Singh, who played a blistering innings of 33* off 13 balls. Singh's aggressive batting, including three sixes and two fours, along with Anderson’s composed support, took the USA over the line. The pair shared an unbeaten 60-run partnership, with Singh hitting the winning boundary to seal the historic victory for the hosts.

2nd T20I - May 23, 2024:

The USA, batting first, posted a total of 144/6 in their 20 overs. Key contributions came from Monank Patel (42), Aaron Jones (35), and Steven Taylor (31). Despite a solid start, the USA's middle order struggled against Bangladesh's bowling, with Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, and Mustafizur Rahman each taking two wickets.

In reply, Bangladesh's chase started poorly with the early loss of Soumya Sarkar. Although Najmul Hossain Shanto (36) and Towhid Hridoy (25) provided some resistance, the USA bowlers, led by Ali Khan (3/25), kept applying pressure. Shakib Al Hasan's 30-run effort wasn't enough as Bangladesh were bowled out for 138 in 19.3 overs, falling short by 6 runs.

3rd T20I - May 25, 2024:

After winning the toss, Bangladesh opted to field first. The USA struggled to build momentum against a disciplined Bangladeshi bowling attack led by Mustafizur Rahman. Mustafizur, known for his mastery of slower balls and cutters, delivered a sensational performance, claiming six wickets for just 10 runs. His efforts restricted the USA to a modest total of 104/9 in their 20 overs. Key contributions from USA’s Adriaan Gous (27 runs) and Ali Sheikh (18 runs) were not enough to counter Mustafizur’s brilliance.

In response, Bangladesh's openers Tanzid Hasan and Soumya Sarkar chased down the target effortlessly. Tanzid scored an unbeaten 58 off 42 balls, while Sarkar supported with a fluent 43 off 28 balls, sealing the victory in just 11.4 overs without losing a wicket.

Man of the Series

Mustafizur Rahman: “Very happy with the way I bowled. I tried a lot of variations and mixed it up. Feeling really good for winning these awards.”

Conclusion

The USA vs Bangladesh series in Houston has been a significant step forward for cricket in the United States, offering valuable exposure and competition for the American players. This series could well be a precursor to more regular international cricket in the USA, contributing to the sport's growth and popularity in the country.