USA stuns Bangladesh with five-wicket win in first T20I

The United States achieved a surprising five-wicket victory over Bangladesh in a Twenty20 International match held in Houston on Tuesday.

This win serves as a timely morale boost for the Americans as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup next month.

The USA is set to host group stage games in the tournament, co-hosted with the West Indies. The ongoing three-match series against Bangladesh serves as their primary warm-up.

Despite being ranked 19th in the world T20 rankings, below Nepal and Oman, the USA outperformed their more experienced opponents, who are ranked ninth.

Bangladesh posted a score of 153-6, with Towhid Hridoy scoring 58 from 47 balls, while USA off-spinner Steven Taylor impressed with figures of two for nine from three overs.

The USA successfully chased down the target with three balls remaining, thanks to a crucial 61-run partnership between Corey Anderson and Harmeet Singh.

At one point, the USA was struggling at 94-5 with five overs left, but Anderson and Singh turned the game around. Anderson, a former New Zealand international, scored 34 off 25 balls, including two sixes. Singh, a former Indian Under-19 player, contributed a rapid 33 off just 13 deliveries, hitting three sixes and two fours.

In the penultimate over, Anderson hit a six, leaving the Americans needing nine runs off the final over. He then smashed another six and took a single, setting the stage for Singh to hit a four and secure the victory.

"It's a great feeling," said Singh. "I was backing myself, and the key was to stay in the game until the end. Our efforts in the last over were crucial, and that was our strategy," he added. Singh praised Anderson's experience, noting his calmness under pressure and ability to finish games.

The second match of the series will also take place in Houston on Thursday.