Bangladesh suffer humiliating defeat to USA

A dismal batting performance led Bangladesh to a humiliating five-wicket defeat against the USA in the opening game of the three-match T20 International series at Prairie View Cricket Complex in Houston, Texas, on Tuesday.

Batting first, Bangladesh posted a mediocre 153-6. The USA successfully chased this total, reaching 156-5 with three balls to spare, thus winning the first-ever T20 International game between the two sides.

Corey Anderson, a former New Zealand all-rounder who recently debuted for the USA last month, played a crucial role in the victory with an unbeaten 34 off 25 balls, including two sixes. Harmeet Singh dismantled Bangladesh with an unbeaten 33 off just 13 balls, hitting two fours and three sixes. Their knocks accelerated the USA's victory after a minor setback midway through their chase.

Mustafizur took two wickets but conceded 41 runs in four overs while Rishad and Shoriful picked up one wicket apiece.

Earlier, Towhid Hridoy struck a 58 off 47 balls to help Bangladesh surpass the 150 mark. Despite Hridoy's impressive form, the other Bangladesh batters struggled, exacerbating the team's woes. Veteran Mahmudullah Riyad was the second-highest scorer with 31 off 22 balls, including two fours and a six.

Put into bat first, Bangladesh top order batters fumbled yet again, which put the side in a tricky situation. Liton Das who was given chance ahead of inform Tanzid Hasan Tamim to regain his form failed to impress as he scored just 14 off 15.

Soumya Sarkar looked fluent before being out for 20 off 13 and when skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto continued his poor form by being out on 3, Bangladesh were reduced to 51-3 in 7.2 overs.

Shakib Al Hasan was then trapped run out for 6 after trying to steal a quick single and Bangladesh were at 68-4 in 12th over.

Mahmudullah and Hridoy combined for a 67-run for the fifth wicket to give the scoreboard some respectability.

Hridoy was dismissed in the last ball of the innings after hitting four fours and two sixes in his knock. Jaker Ali Anik was on 9 after hitting two fours from 5 balls.