Cricket

USA vs Bangladesh 3rd T20I: USA Aims for Clean Sweep in Historic SeriesUSA will face Bangladesh in the third and final T20I of their three-match series on Saturday in Houston, Texas. The match marks a historic moment for USA cricket, as they have already secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.In the second T20I on Thursday, USA stunned Bangladesh, an ICC full member nation, by 33 runs. The victory was a testament to the growing strength of USA cricket, which is an associate cricketing nation.USA's success in the series has been built on a combination of strong batting and disciplined bowling. In the first T20I, they chased down Bangladesh's total of 153 with ease, thanks to a half-century from Aaron Jones. In the second T20I, they restricted Bangladesh to just 134 runs, with Nisarg Patel taking three wickets.Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be looking to salvage some pride in the third T20I. They have been outplayed by USA in both matches so far, and will need to find a way to turn things around.The third T20I will be a crucial match for both teams. For USA, it is a chance to complete a historic clean sweep and send a strong message ahead of the T20 World Cup. For Bangladesh, it is an opportunity to avoid a humiliating series defeat and regain some momentum.

In a historic triumph, the United States cricket team has secured their maiden T20I series victory against Bangladesh, marking a significant milestone in their cricketing journey. The Americans sealed the series with a thrilling six-run win in the second match at the Prairie View Cricket Complex.Chasing a modest target of 144, Bangladesh's batters struggled to find their rhythm on an unfamiliar surface. Left-arm pacer Saurabh Netravalkar struck early, dismissing Soumya Sarkar for a golden duck. Tanzid Hasan followed suit, falling to Jessy Singh for 19.Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy provided some stability with a 48-run partnership, but their progress was halted by a moment of brilliance from Corey Anderson. The former New Zealand international charged towards the stumps after a mix-up between the batters, resulting in Shanto's dismissal for 36.Anderson's impact continued as he rattled Hridoy's stumps an over later, triggering a collapse that saw Bangladesh lose wickets at regular intervals. Shakib Al Hasan led the fight, but the wickets kept falling at the other end.With 21 runs needed off the final three overs, Rishad Hossain raised hopes of a comeback with a boundary. However, Ali Khan maintained his composure and removed Hossain to bundle out Bangladesh for 138.Earlier, USA skipper Monank Patel led the charge with a 42-run knock. Steven Taylor and Aaron Jones also made valuable contributions with scores of 31 and 35, respectively, propelling USA to a competitive total of 144/7.This victory marks a significant achievement for USA cricket, demonstrating their growing strength and potential on the international stage. The series win is a testament to the team's hard work, dedication, and the support of their passionate fans.

USA Stuns Bangladesh in Historic T20I VictoryIn a major upset, the United States of America (USA) defeated full member Bangladesh by five wickets in the first T20I at the Prairie View Cricket Complex in Texas on Tuesday. The victory marks a significant milestone for the Associate Nation, which has never defeated a full member in a T20I before.Chasing a modest target of 154, the USA lost half of their team for just 94 runs. However, former New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson (34 not out) and former Mumbai and India U-19 player Harmeet Singh (33 not out) came to the rescue with a crucial 62-run partnership for the sixth wicket.Anderson played cautiously before hitting Mustafizur Rahman and Mahmudullah for a six each. Harmeet hammered back-to-back sixes off Mustafizur Rahman in the 17th over before hitting Shoriful Islam for a six in the 18th over and followed it up with a boundary off the last ball of the over. He sealed victory for the USA with a four off Mahmudullah off the third ball of the 19th over.Earlier, Bangladesh elected to field first and restricted the USA to just 153/6 in 20 overs. Middle-order batter Tawhid Hridoy top-scored for Bangladesh with 58 off 47 balls, while Mahmudullah contributed 31 and Soumya Sarkar added 20.The USA's victory sparked a meme fest on social media, with many users highlighting the fact that the team is largely composed of players of Indian origin. The win also raised questions about the future of Associate Nations in international cricket and the need for more opportunities for them to compete against full members.

USA Opts to Bowl First in Inaugural T20I Against BangladeshIn preparation for the 2024 T20 World Cup, the United States and Bangladesh faced off in their first-ever men's T20I encounter in Texas. USA captain Monank Patel elected to bowl first, setting the stage for an intriguing contest.Bangladesh made two alterations to their lineup, bringing in Litton Das and Shoriful Islam in place of Tanzid Hasan and Mohammad Saifuddin. USA, on the other hand, made four changes, introducing Steven Taylor, Patel, Jasdeep Singh, and Ali Khan.The USA team, which has been building towards the World Cup, features a blend of experienced players and rising stars. Steven Taylor, a former West Indies international, brings a wealth of knowledge to the side. Monank Patel, the captain and wicket-keeper, is a key figure in the team's leadership and batting lineup.Bangladesh, a formidable opponent, boasts a strong batting order led by Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar, and Najmul Hossain Shanto. Shakib Al Hasan, the all-rounder, is a crucial player for the team, providing both batting and bowling depth.The match marks a significant milestone in the development of cricket in the United States. The USA team has been making steady progress in recent years, and this encounter against Bangladesh provides a valuable opportunity to test their skills against a top-ranked opponent.As the teams prepare for the World Cup, this T20I series will serve as a crucial platform to assess their strengths and weaknesses. Both USA and Bangladesh will be eager to make a statement and secure a positive result in this historic matchup.

Bangladesh's batting woes have been a concern for captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and coach Chandika Hathurusinghe, but they have opted against making any last-minute changes to their T20 World Cup squad. Despite Litton Das's recent struggles, scoring only 79 runs in his last six T20Is, he has retained his place in the team.Hathurusinghe acknowledged that the top and middle order did not perform as expected against Zimbabwe, but he believes they have the potential to improve. He emphasized the importance of the top order scoring consistently to relieve pressure on the other batters.Shanto expressed confidence in the team's bowling attack, led by vice-captain Taskin Ahmed, who is recovering from a side strain. He believes the bowlers can win them games at the World Cup, especially in conditions that may favor spin.Both Shanto and Hathurusinghe highlighted the importance of senior players Mahmudullah and Shakib Al Hasan, who are expected to share their experience with the younger players. Mahmudullah has been in good form lately, while Shakib remains a key figure in the team.Hathurusinghe is cautiously optimistic about Bangladesh's chances at the World Cup. He recognizes the challenges of their group, which includes South Africa and Sri Lanka, but believes they can qualify for the Super 12 stage.

Bangladesh's 3-0 lead in the T20I series against Zimbabwe has been met with mixed reactions. While some fans celebrate the victories, others dismiss them due to Zimbabwe's lower ranking. However, Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed emphasizes that the team remains focused on improving ahead of the T20 World Cup."Our goals are World Cup-oriented," Taskin said. "We have to give our best in all conditions. If we can get into the World Cup with five or ten percent improvement, we can start well in that tournament."Taskin has been a standout performer for Bangladesh, taking six wickets in three games. He attributes his success to improved rhythm and hard work."I struggled with my rhythm in the BPL and Sri Lanka series, but it's improving now," he said. "I'm working hard, and the team expects me to bowl at high pace."Despite the low-scoring nature of the series, Taskin believes Bangladesh is giving its all."Conditions are different here than in the IPL," he said. "We're giving our 100 percent, even against Zimbabwe."Bangladesh's top-order batters have struggled, but Taskin remains optimistic."We're working on it," he said. "I hope we can do better in these two matches."Taskin is also encouraged by the emergence of young fast bowlers in domestic cricket."It's a great sign that more fast bowlers are coming into the scene," he said. "It's an additional motivation for us in the national team."

India's Suryakumar Yadav maintains his dominance as the world's top-ranked T20I batter, while Bangladesh's Taskin Ahmed and Mahedi Hasan have made significant gains in the latest ICC Men's T20I Player Rankings.Yadav, known for his explosive batting, leads the rankings with 861 points, a significant margin ahead of England's Phil Salt, who sits in second place with 802 points. Bangladesh's experienced batter Mahmudullah has also climbed two spots to equal 81st on the list.Taskin Ahmed, who impressed with six wickets in three matches against Zimbabwe, has jumped six places to 26th on the T20I bowler rankings, achieving a new career-high rating. Mahedi Hasan has also made a six-spot rise, moving up to equal 22nd place after claiming three wickets in two matches against Zimbabwe.Zimbabwe's Blessing Muzarabani has also made a notable improvement, jumping five places to 69th on the T20I bowler rankings thanks to his four wickets against Bangladesh.In the T20I batting rankings, Bangladesh's Towhid Hridoy has made a significant leap, moving from outside the top 100 to equal 90th place. The 23-year-old right-hander has scored 127 runs in the first three matches of the series against Zimbabwe, including two unbeaten knocks.Despite the gains made by other players, Suryakumar Yadav remains the undisputed leader in the T20I batter rankings, showcasing his consistent brilliance in the shortest format of the game.

Shakib Al Hasan, the talismanic all-rounder, makes a much-anticipated return to Bangladesh's T20I squad after an absence of nearly a year. The 36-year-old has been named in the team for the final two matches of the series against Zimbabwe in Dhaka, scheduled for May 11 and 12.Shakib's inclusion is a major boost for Bangladesh, who have taken a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. The veteran all-rounder, who last played a T20I in July 2023, will provide much-needed experience and leadership to the side.Also returning to the squad are Soumya Sarkar and Mustafizur Rahman. Sarkar, a hard-hitting opener, has been out with a knee injury since March, while Rahman, a pace bowler, has been rested after a busy IPL campaign with Chennai Super Kings.The trio of Shakib, Sarkar, and Rahman replace Parvez Hossain Emon, Afif Hossain, and Shoriful Islam. Emon and Afif missed all three games of the series, while Shoriful played the first two matches.Shakib's return is particularly significant as he was Bangladesh's captain when he last played T20Is. He was instrumental in building the team towards this year's T20 World Cup, but injuries hampered his progress. Najmul Hossain Shanto has since taken over the captaincy in all formats.Mustafizur's return will also bolster Bangladesh's bowling attack. The left-arm pacer has been in impressive form in the IPL, taking 10 wickets in 11 matches.Soumya's inclusion adds depth to the batting lineup. The left-handed opener is known for his aggressive style of play and will be looking to make a strong impact on his return from injury.The final two T20Is against Zimbabwe will provide Bangladesh with an opportunity to fine-tune their preparations for the T20 World Cup. The squad for the tournament is expected to be announced on May 13, the day after the last T20I in Dhaka.

Bangladesh has announced its squad for the first three T20Is of the five-match series against Zimbabwe, with Mohammad Saifuddin making a comeback. The squad also includes left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam, allrounder Afif Hossain, and opening batters Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain.Saifuddin, who last played T20Is for Bangladesh in October 2022, has recovered from a back injury that sidelined him for several months. He impressed during the recent Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), taking 15 wickets in nine matches for Fortune Barishal, who won their maiden BPL title.Tanzid, a left-handed opener, has earned his maiden T20I call-up after playing 15 ODIs since his debut last year. He had a decent BPL campaign but was not part of the T20Is against Sri Lanka last month.Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan are notable absentees from the squad for the first three matches. Shakib is expected to return to Dhaka on April 30 and may play a Dhaka Premier League match before joining the squad for the remaining two matches. Mustafizur is set to arrive on May 2 after his IPL stint and will undergo a fitness assessment before being considered for the final two T20Is in Dhaka.Anamul Haque, Taijul Islam, and Mohammad Naim have been left out from the squad that played T20Is against Sri Lanka, while Soumya Sarkar is still recovering from a knee injury.The first three T20Is will be played in Chattogram on May 3, 5, and 7, before the action moves to Dhaka for the last two games on May 10 and 12.