USA stun Bangladesh for second time ahead of T20 World Cup
Monank Patel and Ali Khan help tip the scales in USA's favour as the hosts prove too strong for Bangladesh; watch Men's T20 World Cup live on Sky Sports from June 1-29
Saturday 25 May 2024 14:25, UK
The USA stunned Bangladesh once more on Thursday, winning the second T20I by six runs to clinch the three-match series, ahead of co-hosting the Men's T20 World Cup next month.
Proving Tuesday's five-wicket win was no fluke, the USA side, led by Monank Patel (42), posted 144-6 and returned to bowl out Bangladesh for 138 to prevail by six runs at the Prairie View in Houston.
Patel and Steven Taylor (31) gave the hosts a strong start, and Aaron Jones contributed 35 to help them to a competitive total.
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Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (36) and Shakib Al Hasan (30) kept their side in the chase but the rest of the batting line-up caved in with three balls left in their innings.
For the hosts, Khan (3-25) picked up three wickets in the death overs to tilt the game in their favour.
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"I think the way our bowlers bowled in the powerplay and especially in the last five overs, we used the conditions really well, and they got the wickets at the right time," said Patel.
"I think if we win [on Saturday] and get the confidence leading to the World Cup, it will definitely help us."
While a 3-0 series sweep would be a major boost for the US ahead of the June 1-29 World Cup they co-host with West Indies, Test-playing Bangladesh will be introspective after back-to-back losses against a tier-two team.
"I think it's very disappointing for us," Shanto said.
"We lost wickets in almost every over in the middle. That is the main point I think we lost the match. I hope we can play some good cricket in the next match.
"I think it's not the problem with the skill. We should change our mentality and mindset."
Watch all four matches of England's men's T20I series against Pakistan, and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA live on Sky Sports Cricket. Also stream with NOW.
