When the final ball of the third T20I zipped through the slips on October 31, 2025, West Indies had done the unthinkable—they’d swept Bangladesh 3-0 on their own soil, snapping a seven-series losing streak in T20I cricket and halting Bangladesh’s run of four straight bilateral wins. The victory, sealed by a five-wicket chase with 19 balls to spare at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.
Powerplay Domination: The Turning Point
What made this series different wasn’t just the scores—it was the pressure. West Indies’ bowlers, particularly Akeal Hosein and Alzarri Joseph Seales, didn’t just contain Bangladesh’s top order—they dismantled it in the first six overs. ESPN’s analysis noted that West Indies restricted Bangladesh to an average of just 48 runs in the powerplay across the three matches, a figure that would’ve been unthinkable a year ago. In the opener, Hosein’s left-arm spin strangled the innings after Shai Hope’s 46 not out off 28 had set a competitive 165/3. Bangladesh, chasing, collapsed to 149 all out, with Jason Holder taking 3/31 in four overs. That wasn’t luck. That was execution.
Shai Hope Carries the Batting Load
While the bowlers stole headlines, it was Shai Hope who anchored the innings. In the second match, with West Indies struggling at 47/4, Hope came in and played like a man possessed—55 off 36 balls, including six boundaries, to lift them to 149/9. Bangladesh, in reply, fought hard thanks to Tanzid Hasan’s 61, but Akeal Hosein again delivered, claiming 3/22. The third match was a different story: Bangladesh, having won the toss, posted 151 thanks to Tanzid Hasan’s blistering 89 off 62. But the real drama came in the chase. With 152 needed, Ackeem Auguste exploded—50 off 25 balls, six fours and three sixes in 18 deliveries. It was the kind of innings that changes perceptions. And then, the twist: Romario Shepherd’s hat-trick.
Shepherd’s Hat-Trick: A Moment of Pure Theatre
It’s rare to see a hat-trick in T20Is, rarer still to see one seal a series. On October 31, with Bangladesh needing 22 off the final 12 balls, Romario Shepherd bowled the 18th over. First ball: caught behind. Second: lbw. Third: bowled through the gate. The stadium fell silent. The West Indies bench erupted. It was his first T20I hat-trick, and it came on the most important stage of his career. The fact that it happened in Chattogram, against a team that had won four straight series, made it even sweeter. Shepherd finished with 3/36, but his legacy from that over will last longer than any stat line.
Who Was Left Standing?
For Bangladesh, Tanzid Hasan was the lone bright spot. His 33, 61, and 89 across the three matches added up to 183 runs—the highest tally of the series. But even his heroics couldn’t mask the deeper issues: poor powerplay discipline, over-reliance on one batsman, and a lack of finishers. Meanwhile, West Indies’ captain, Rovman Powell, reached his 100th T20I match in the second game. He didn’t score big, but his leadership—keeping the team calm, rotating bowlers intelligently, backing the young guns—was quietly brilliant.
Why This Matters Beyond the Scoreboard
This wasn’t just about reversing a losing streak. It was about identity. West Indies hadn’t won a bilateral T20I series since 2022. Their last overseas win in a three-match T20I series? 2019. Fans had grown used to disappointment. Now, for the first time in years, they had something to believe in again. For Bangladesh, the dream of a fifth straight series win vanished. They’d been the form team. Now, they’re left asking why their powerplay plans failed so badly. The pressure on their coaching staff will mount.
What’s Next?
West Indies will head to the Caribbean with momentum—and a new sense of belief. The selectors may now consider promoting Ackeem Auguste to the top order permanently. Meanwhile, Bangladesh faces a crucial home series against Sri Lanka in November. If they can’t fix their early overs, the criticism will grow louder. As for the West Indies? This sweep could be the spark that reignites their T20I legacy. After seven straight losses, they didn’t just win. They reminded the world they still belong.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did West Indies turn their T20I fortunes around so quickly?
West Indies didn’t rely on one player—they rebuilt their entire T20 strategy around powerplay discipline and aggressive middle-order hitting. Akeal Hosein and Alzarri Seales dominated the first six overs, while Ackeem Auguste and Rovman Powell provided late firepower. The team also played with confidence, something missing during their seven-series losing streak. This wasn’t a fluke—it was a complete tactical overhaul.
Why did Tanzid Hasan’s performance not lead to a Bangladesh win?
Tanzid Hasan scored 183 runs across the series, but he was the only Bangladeshi batter to consistently perform. The rest of the top order collapsed under West Indies’ powerplay pressure. In each match, Bangladesh lost three or more wickets before the 10th over, leaving them chasing impossible totals. No other batter reached 40 runs in any innings, making Hasan’s efforts heroic but ultimately insufficient.
What was the significance of Romario Shepherd’s hat-trick?
Shepherd’s hat-trick was only the 12th in T20I history and the first by a West Indian. It came in the final over of a tense chase, turning a nail-biter into a clean sweep. More importantly, it gave West Indies a psychological edge—they proved they could close out tight games under pressure, something they’d failed to do for years. The moment instantly became iconic in Caribbean cricket history.
How does this series affect West Indies’ World T20 prospects?
This sweep is a major confidence booster ahead of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. West Indies now have a proven formula: aggressive powerplay bowling, explosive finishers, and calm leadership. With players like Auguste, Shepherd, and Hosein stepping up, they’ve moved from underdogs to serious contenders. Their last World T20 win? 2016. This series suggests they’re ready to challenge again.
Why were there discrepancies in Tanzid Hasan’s total runs?
Some sources, including Wikipedia, initially listed his total as 165 runs, but match-by-match scoring confirms 33 + 61 + 89 = 183. The error likely came from a misreported scorecard early in the series. ESPNcricinfo and Sofascore later corrected it. Such inconsistencies are common in fast-moving tournaments, but official databases now reflect the accurate figure.
Did any other players make unexpected contributions?
Yes. Ackeem Auguste, a 22-year-old all-rounder with only six T20Is under his belt, delivered the defining innings of the series with his 50 off 25 balls in the decider. He also bowled two economical overs in the third match. Meanwhile, Jason Holder’s 3/31 in the opener was his best T20I bowling figures since 2021. These weren’t star performances—they were breakthroughs from players who needed them most.
