Mustafizur Rahman Leads Bangladesh To Victory Over USA, Avoids Series White-Wash

Mustafizur Rahman delivered an exceptional performance with the ball as Bangladesh avoided a series whitewash against the USA in the third and final T20I on Saturday, May 25, at the Prairie View Cricket Complex in Houston, Texas.

The T20 World Cup 2024 co-hosts USA had already secured a 2-0 series lead following victories in the first two matches held earlier in the week at the same venue. However, Bangladesh, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, managed to secure a consolation win before their upcoming T20 World Cup warm-up matches against the USA and India.

Mustafizur's remarkable figures of 6 for 10 in his 4 overs, including a maiden, were instrumental in restricting the USA to 104/9. The Bangladesh openers Tanzid Hassan (58* off 42 balls) and Soumya Sarkar (43* off 28 balls) then chased down the target in just 11.4 overs.

USA, put into bat first, started well by adding 46 for the opening wicket. However, Shakib Al Hasan removed Andries Gous (27 off 15 balls), and Mustafizur dismissed Shayan Jahangir (18 off 20 balls) soon after. Mustafizur, who played for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2024, continued his form by removing NR Kumar for 3 off 9 balls.

Rishad Hossain and Tanzim Hasan Sakib also contributed to the wickets column. Corey Anderson and Shadley van Schalkwyk tried to resist with a partnership of over 30 runs but were eventually dismissed by Mustafizur. Jessy Singh and Nisarg Patel were also removed cheaply by Mustafizur, halting USA's innings at a modest total of 104.

In response, Bangladesh's openers reached the target without losing any wickets. Earlier in the series, USA had registered a 5-wicket victory in the first T20I by chasing down a target of 154 in 19.3 overs. The hosts then defended a total of 144 successfully, bundling out Bangladesh for 138 to secure a historic series win against a full member team.