The USA created history on Tuesday having registered a 5-wicket victory over Bangladesh in their first-ever official T20I game. This remarkable victory is important for the US as they are set to play their maiden cricket World Cup. USA hosts Bangladesh in a three-match series as a preparation for the T20 World Cup they co-host with West Indies, starting June 2.
After being invited to bat first, Bangladesh’s top-order struggled to score against USA bowling and were reeling at 68/4 in the 12th over, with Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Shakib Al Hasan back in the hut. Towhid Hridoy and Mahmudullah then stepped up to steady the sinking ship, putting together a crucial 67-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Mahmudullah played a valuable knock, scoring 31 runs before being dismissed by Saurabh Netravalkar. Hridoy batted till the last ball and contributed 58 runs off 47 balls before getting out on the final ball of the innings, helping his side post a defendable 153/6 in 20 overs.
Steven Taylor bagged a couple of wickets for USA, while Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, and Jasdeep Singh celebrated a solitary wicket for the hosts.
In pursuit of 153 runs, USA openers added 27 runs for the first wicket, with skipper Monank Patel departing for 12 runs off 10 balls, courtesy of an unfortunate run out at the non-striker’s end.The USA middle-order batters struggled to maintain a steady run rate, and the team found themselves in trouble at 94/5 in the 15th over, with the required run rate creeping up significantly.
Facing the daunting task of needing 50 runs off 20 balls, USA was in a precarious position. However, Harmeet Singh stepped up and wreaked havoc with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 33 runs off just 13 balls. Corey Anderson, who initially took his time to settle, fired at the end of the innings and remained unbeaten on 34 runs off 25 balls. Their efforts helped the hosts chase down the target, winning by 5 wickets with 3 balls to spare.
For Bangladesh, Mustafizur Rahman bagged two wickets, while Shoriful Islam and Rishad Hossain shared a wicket apiece.
Harmeet Singh was awarded Player of the Match for his valuable and explosive knock, a performance that will surely boost the former India U-19 player’s confidence ahead of the World Cup.
The second T20I of the series is slated to begin on May 23 at Prairie View Cricket Complex in Houston. Bangladesh will aim to stage a comeback in the series, while the hosts will look to carry the momentum from their first victory and seal the series. 
