We Lost the Match in the PowerPlay : Bangladesh suffered a disappointing defeat in the opening T20I against West Indies at the Bir Shrestha Shahid Flight Lieutenant Motiur Rahman Cricket Stadium. Despite a brave late fightback, the team fell short by 16 runs while chasing 165. After the game, all-rounder Tanzim Hasan Sakib admitted that “We lost the match in the PowerPlay”, stressing how early wickets destroyed their chances of winning.
Early Collapse Hurt Bangladesh’s Chances
Bangladesh’s chase never got going as they lost four wickets inside the first six overs. From 57 for 5, the hosts struggled to recover even though Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Nasum Ahmed tried to rebuild the innings with a fighting stand. Tanzim, who played a spirited knock of 33 off 27 balls, admitted repeatedly that “We lost the match in the PowerPlay” and that this phase completely changed the game.
Speaking after the match, Tanzim said, “They batted later when the dew made things easier. But we lost the match in the PowerPlay because we gave away our wickets early. If we had batted sensibly in the middle overs, things could have been different.”
The young all-rounder highlighted that the open field in the middle overs offered many scoring options, yet Bangladesh’s batsmen failed to capitalize. “The middle order could have taken more responsibility. Most batsmen got out before getting set. We lost the match in the PowerPlay, but the middle overs could have still saved us if we rotated the strike,” he added.
Tanzim also expressed regret that he could not finish the job. Batting alongside Nasum Ahmed gave him confidence, and for a moment, it looked like Bangladesh might pull off a comeback. “I really wish I could have finished the game. Batting with Nasum Bhai felt good — the ball was coming nicely. But in the end, we lost the match in the PowerPlay, and recovering from that was tough,” he said.
According to Tanzim, the early collapse meant that even though 30 runs were needed in the last two overs — a manageable target in T20 cricket — the lack of a set batter at the crease made it impossible. “If we had one player settled in, it would’ve been easier. But we lost the match in the PowerPlay, so the rest of the innings was just about surviving,” he said with disappointment.
Powell Praises Bangladesh’s Effort but Credits Early Advantage
West Indies middle-order batter Rovman Powell, who was named the Player of the Match in his 100th T20 appearance, acknowledged that the game could have gone either way if Bangladesh had one batter standing till the end. Even he agreed with Tanzim’s assessment that “We lost the match in the PowerPlay” was the right way to describe Bangladesh’s downfall.
“They batted well at times,” Powell said. “But we lost the match in the PowerPlay sums it up perfectly for them. If one of their top batters had stayed longer, we would have been under real pressure, especially since the wicket was a bit wet toward the end.”
Powell also reflected on his own milestone, saying it was a special moment to play his 100th T20 for West Indies. “It’s a great feeling. It represents years of hard work and support from family, friends, and coaches,” he said.
He described the surface as balanced and fair, rewarding both batters and bowlers. “It wasn’t a complete run-fest. If you batted properly, you could score; if you bowled properly, you could take wickets,” Powell explained.
As Bangladesh look to bounce back in the remaining two T20Is, Tanzim’s message remains clear — “We lost the match in the PowerPlay” must not be repeated. He emphasized that learning from this mistake is vital if Bangladesh want to level the series.
In the end, Tanzim’s honesty summed up the entire story. The team showed fight in the later stages, but “We lost the match in the PowerPlay” — a phase that cost them the game, confidence, and a golden chance to start the series with a win.
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