It took just three games in Chattogram for the West Indies to remind the cricketing world of what they’re capable of when belief, balance, and intent align. A side once dismissed as erratic and underachieving produced a clean, clinical 3-0 whitewash over Bangladesh, their first bilateral T20I series win after seven straight losses.
At the heart of this resurgence stood Roston Chase, calm and composed as a stand-in captain, and Ackeem Auguste, a young left-hander whose maiden T20I fifty spoke of maturity beyond his years.
Add in Romario Shepherd’s hat-trick, and the night turned into a symbol of what West Indies cricket can still produce — flair, precision, and fearlessness.
The Game — West Indies Seal a Perfect Finish
Bangladesh 151 (Tanzid 89, Shepherd 3-36)
West Indies 152/5 (Auguste 50, Chase 50, Rishad 3-43)
Result: West Indies won by five wickets and took the series 3–0
In Chattogram’s sticky evening air, the home crowd expected Bangladesh to salvage some pride. Instead, the visitors delivered a near-perfect performance that combined tactical discipline with individual brilliance.
Romario Shepherd’s hat-trick blew open Bangladesh’s innings, while a pair of measured fifties from Auguste and Chase completed the chase with more than three overs to spare.
The victory wasn’t just a win — it was a statement that the Caribbean revival is underway.
Auguste’s Coming-of-Age Fifty — A Glimpse of the Future
At just 21, Ackeem Auguste has long been regarded as one of the West Indies’ brightest young talents — elegant yet explosive, stylish yet grounded. But until now, he was more promise than product.
That changed on Thursday.
Walking in with his team wobbling at three down early, Auguste played an innings of control, calculation, and clean hitting. His 50 off 33 balls wasn’t just about numbers — it was about composure. He pierced gaps, punished anything on the pads, and cleared the leg side ropes with five towering sixes.
His most defining moment came in the 13th over, when he took on Rishad Hossain for three sixes — a display of controlled aggression that tilted the match decisively in West Indies’ favour.
A partnership built on trust
Auguste found the perfect partner in Roston Chase, the stand-in captain whose experience anchored the chase. The two added 91 runs for the fourth wicket, reviving the innings after early stutters.
While Auguste dominated the leg side, Chase rotated strike and punished loose deliveries through cover and midwicket. It was a partnership of contrast and chemistry — youthful audacity meeting seasoned composure.
“The Ackeem I used to know would get out for 20 or 30 after playing some exciting shots,” Chase said later. “But he’s learning how to build innings now. The sky is the limit for him. He has such a clean swing — he just needs to keep believing.”
Chase’s Captaincy and Composure Stand Out
Roston Chase may not be the loudest man in the dressing room, but on the field, he radiated calm authority. His fifty mirrored his leadership: steady, unfazed, and strategic.
The hallmark of his approach? Partnerships and patience.
“We just wanted to go at six or seven an over till the 15th,” Chase explained post-match. “Once me and Ackeem got set, the wicket became easier. It was the best surface of the series, and we capitalized.”
With the ball, too, Chase played his part, grabbing key wickets and marshalling his bowlers smartly — rotating Shepherd, Holder, and Motie to target Bangladesh’s weak middle overs.
Romario Shepherd’s Hat-Trick — Power, Precision, and Payoff
When Bangladesh were cruising at 107 for 2, it looked like a 170-plus total was on the cards. Then came Romario Shepherd — explosive in intent and exact in execution.
In a sensational late burst, Shepherd claimed 3 for 36, including a hat-trick spread over two overs. Bangladesh went from 107 for 2 to 151 all out — losing eight wickets for just 44 runs.
He removed Nurul Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, and then — in his next over — Tanzid Hasan and Shoriful Islam, sealing a rare feat in West Indies T20I history.
Even Shepherd didn’t realize he had bagged a hat-trick until Jason Holder, the only other West Indian with one, reminded him mid-celebration.
“I didn’t even realize it!” Shepherd laughed later. “I’m just happy to execute my plans. We’ve worked really hard to get our rhythm back.”
The hat-trick was West Indies’ eighth against Bangladesh across formats — but this one felt particularly symbolic: a reflection of rediscovered discipline in death bowling.
Bangladesh Falters After Tanzid’s Lone Fight
While Bangladesh’s top order started brightly, only Tanzid Hasan looked composed enough to handle the Caribbean attack. His 89 off 57 balls was stylish and powerful, but lack of support at the other end doomed the innings.
After Saif Hassan fell following a 63-run partnership, Bangladesh’s middle order crumbled. From 107 for 2, they lost 8 for 44 — a collapse that mirrored their wider struggles throughout the series.
Missed chances and dropped catches added to their misery. Substitute Towhid Hridoy and Tanzim Hasan both missed crucial chances that could have altered the game’s rhythm.
As Chase put it,
“They had one partnership, but it was mostly one batter scoring while the others kept getting out. We stayed patient and waited for mistakes.”
Jangoo’s Unexpected Spark
Before Auguste took over, Amir Jangoo had injected life into the chase with a lively 23-ball 34. After two early wickets, his intent was exactly what the West Indies needed.
Jangoo capitalized on Taskin Ahmed’s pace, smashing a six and three fours in an 18-run over. He fell to Rishad Hossain later, but not before setting the tempo. It was a small but vital contribution — the kind that can decide the tone of a chase.
His performance also underlined the growing bench strength within the side — a good sign as West Indies look ahead to a packed T20I calendar.
Chase’s Message — Room for Celebration, and for Improvement
Despite the emphatic sweep, Chase struck a note of caution.
“We dropped too many catches,” he admitted. “Our bowlers were spot-on, but our fielding needs to improve. If we tidy that up, we can beat any side in the world.”
Indeed, the West Indies dropped six catches across the final two matches — something the leadership will want to fix quickly before tougher challenges arrive.
Still, there was plenty to celebrate. Romario Shepherd’s consistency, Chase’s leadership, and Auguste’s emergence combined to form a template for the team’s next phase: balanced, fearless, and smarter.
A Symbolic Series for a Team Finding Its Voice Again
For a team that had endured seven straight series defeats, this 3-0 victory was more than a scoreline — it was a release.
The West Indies played as a unit, not a collection of individuals. They showed flexibility with the bat, intent with the ball, and emotional composure — traits that have often gone missing in recent years.
From the leadership of Chase to the exuberance of Auguste, and the professionalism of Shepherd and Holder, this series marked a quiet but meaningful turning point.
It was also a nod to the future — a glimpse of what the next generation of Caribbean talent looks like when belief meets balance.
“We’ve been through tough times,” Chase reflected. “But this group has heart. The players are growing, and so is the belief. This is just the start.”
Score Summary: 3rd T20I, Chattogram
Bangladesh: 151 in 20 overs (Tanzid 89; Shepherd 3-36, Holder 2-22)
West Indies: 152/5 in 16.5 overs (Auguste 50, Chase 50; Rishad 3-43)
Result: West Indies won by five wickets, clinch series 3-0
Player of the Match: Ackeem Auguste
Player of the Series: Romario Shepherd
