DHAKA, Dec 16, 2024 (BSS)-As it was promised, Bangladesh made a good start to the three-match T20 International series by securing a seven-run win over West Indies in the first match today at Arnos Vale in Kingstown, St Vincent.

Bangladesh came into the series after being whitewashed at the hands of West Indies in three-match ODI series. But they turned the table in emphatic fashion, thanks to Mahedi Hasan who put up a stellar allround performance.

When the nation was celebrating its victory, Bangladesh gave them a double delight with a victory in a format in which they always remain vulnerable.

However put into bat first, Bangladesh were restricted to 147-6 but they defended the meager total by wrapping up West Indies, a team full of power-hitters, for 140 in 19.5 overs.

Mahedi scored an unbeaten 26 off 24 before taking four wickets for just 13 runs in four overs.

He strangled the West Indies batting line up but skipper Rovman Powell dazzled in to help the side hit back. And he rose to the occasion to such an uncanny degree that it looked the visitor would win the game with ease.

He got ably support in Romari Shepherd as West Indies were at the receiving end with 61-7 in 11.4 overs. Powell and Shepherd then shared 67 runs partnership, which is West Indies' highest for the eighth wicket in T20Is, breaking the record of 58 between Shepherd and Odean Smith.

Taskin Ahmed broke the partnership by getting rid of Shepherd for 22.

But Powel's blistering batting eventually left West Indies needing only 10 runs from the last overs with two wickets at hands. As Powell himself was in the crease, the momentum was with West Indies.

However pacer Hasan Mahmud defended those 10 runs astutely and took two wickets in that last over including Powel to bring a victory for Bangladesh.

Powel who edged a delivery behind finally was dismissed after smashing 35 ball-60 with five fours and four sixes.

Mahmud ended with those two wickets. His fellow new ball bowler Taskin Ahmed also took two wickets for 28 runs.

Soumya Sarkar was the top-scorer for Bangladesh with 32 ball-43, a knock laced with two fours and three sixes.

Akeal Hossain wrecked havoc on Bangladesh as the visiting side were reeling to 30-3. Opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim (6) and Afif Hossain (80 were removed with single digit figure while captain Liton Das was out for duck.

Jaker Ali Anik who made run-a-ball-27 then shared 57 runs with Soumya before both of the set batter were dismissed in the space of nine runs.

Shamim Patwari who made quickfire 13 ball-27 shared 51 runs with Mahedi, a partnership that proved to be game-changing. That partnership indeed helped Bangladesh edged closer to 150-run-mark.

Akeal Hosein and Obed McCoy picked up two wickets apiece.