Mahmud's heroic last over helps Bangladesh survive Powell's blitz
Powell's stunning 60 off 35 nearly took the hosts over the line after they were 38 for 5
Powell's stunning 60 off 35 nearly took the hosts over the line after they were 38 for 5
Scorer: Binoy George | Commentator: Shashwat Kumar
11:57pm That will be all from us for this game. We hope you enjoyed our coverage and stay tuned to ESPNcricinfo for all the cricketing happenings from around the globe. Until next time, this is goodbye from Binoy and myself. Take care!
Shadow-Shell: "All thanks to the Brisbane rain or I wouldn't have followed this nail biter"
Mahedi Hasan, Player of the Match: We tried to bowl straight and stick to our process. I enjoyed this wicket. I played in the Global Super League before and that gave me confidence. Very good knock from Shamim. It was a crucial moment for our team. I tried my best to have a partnership (with Shamim).
Litton Das, Bangladesh captain: We have played here before. When I saw the wicket, it (the pitch) did not behave the way I thought. When we batted, we felt it was not a great wicket. We were thinking 150-160 would be a good total. We knew with the bowlers we had, we could fight (with our score). I want them (our team) to play aggressive cricket. They are showing their quality and playing really good cricket at the moment. It has been such a long tour. Good start (to win the first T20I). If we play good for another game, we can win the series.
Rovman Powell, West Indies captain: It is just a matter of us assessing it a little earlier. We could have consolidated a little bit more. The only time they would be in the game was if we lost wickets in clusters and we did that. It is a case of me being Powell the batter than just the captain. Good to see that I am getting a bit of consistency (in my batting). (On the death bowling) Always been a struggle for us. Over the last 12 months or so, we have improved. It was a credible bowling performance. As a batting group, we let down the team. (On Shepherd's role) We wanted a left-right combination against the left-spinner and wanted to access both sides of the field. Hopefully he can get more of an opportunity (moving forward). Great support (from the crowd), we need their support now more than ever. (On how they will recover before the next game) Having honest conversations (about what went wrong) We have been a T20 team that has played good cricket but in the last seven or eight games, we have lost our way.
11:42pm A classic contest. At the half-way stage, it felt that was not in the offing, especially with Bangladesh only managing 147. But they bowled and fielded their hearts out. Taskin got the ball rolling before Mahedi came into his own and ripped through the batting order, bagging a career-best four-wicket haul and leaving the hosts tottering at 61-7.
But then, West Indies found a way to wrestle back the initiative. Captain Powell led the way with a blistering half-century and was supported by Shepherd. With 20 needed off 18, it seemed the hosts' game to lose, and they did lose it in the end. Taskin removed Shepherd at the start of the 18th and Powell, as push came to shove, could not find the fence with the regularity he did earlier. A game West Indies will definitely learn from, but also a game they, having come so close, will feel they should have done.
AS Joseph b Hasan Mahmud 9 (14m 11b 1x4 0x6) SR: 81.81
8 off 2. Two boundaries do the trick for West Indies. Extra cover, short third, short fine leg and square leg in the ring
The crowd finds its voice because....their local hero comes out to bat. 9 off 3. Bangladesh's game to lose from here. Around the wicket now
R Powell c †Litton Das b Hasan Mahmud 60 (65m 35b 5x4 4x6) SR: 171.42
9 off 4. More pressure on Powell now
Powell back on strike. 9 off 5
The decision to take the single off the last ball has left Daren Sammy a little displeased. Surely Powell had to start on strike for the last over? Hasan Mahmud to bowl. 10 needed. This is anyone's game at the moment
Powell's stunning 60 off 35 nearly took the hosts over the line after they were 38 for 5
Neither team has had a great year in the format and will look to make amends
Shamim Hossain makes a comeback, while Ripon Mondol has been called up to a full-strength Bangladesh side for the first time