The USA secured a five-wicket victory, posting 156 for 5, with notable contributions from Anderson (34*) and Harmeet (33*), despite Mustafizur's 2-41. Bangladesh managed 153 for 6, led by Hridoy's 58 and Mahmudullah's 31, while Taylor claimed figures of 2-9.
In a thrilling upset on Texan soil, the United States of America, ranked 19th in T20Is, stunned Bangladesh, the ninth-ranked team globally, clinching a remarkable five-wicket victory. Impressively, the home team commanded proceedings, securing a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and marking their second triumph against a Full Member in T20Is since their win against Ireland in 2021.
Former India Under-19 cricketer, Harmeet Singh, emerged as the hero, sealing the win with a flurry of three consecutive sixes in the chase of 154. His unbeaten knock of 33 off 13 balls, coupled with Corey Anderson's 34 not out, formed a pivotal unbroken sixth-wicket partnership of 62 runs.
The USA's bowling unit also delivered magnificently, containing Bangladesh to 153 for 6. Despite the visitors stumbling to 68 for 4, with Litton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto struggling, Towhid Hridoy and Mahmudullah showcased their rescue prowess, a recurring theme throughout the year. Hridoy led the charge with a valiant 58, remaining unbeaten till the 20th over. He partnered with Mahmudullah, who demonstrated exceptional adaptability, steering the team to a respectable total with a crucial 67-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Litton fails to capitalize on his opportunity.
Litton couldn't live up to the trust placed in him by the Bangladesh team management, departing for 14 in the fifth over. His survival had been fortuitous, escaping a dropped catch by US captain Monank Patel when he was on 2, and evading a run-out attempt moments later.
Despite showcasing a promising straight six in the third over, Litton appeared increasingly jittery. His nerves showed as he failed to execute a ramp-scoop against Ali Khan in the fifth over, ultimately succumbing lbw to Jasdeep Singh's impressive delivery that jagged back into him.
Shortly after Litton's dismissal, Soumya Sarkar exited the field, caught by Steven Taylor at deep midwicket. Following suit, Najmul Hossain Shanto, another struggling top-order batsman for Bangladesh, was stumped off Taylor after managing just three runs from eleven balls, failing to find his timing throughout his brief innings.
Mahmudullah once more rises to the occasion.
Hridoy initially stumbled before finding his rhythm. A miscommunication with Shakib Al Hasan led to a run-out, setting the score at 68 for 4 in the 12th over. However, Hridoy quickly redeemed himself with two sixes off Jasdeep, only to be caught in the covers in the 14th over.
Fortunately, a reprieve came for the batsman when left-arm spinner Harmeet delivered the first of his two no-balls. Mahmudullah then took charge, striking Khan for a boundary and a six in the 17th over. However, his innings concluded as he attempted a big shot against Saurabh Netravalkar, resulting in a well-taken catch by Nitish Kumar at long-on. Mahmudullah's knock of 31 off 22 balls was crucial, particularly for his partnership of 67 runs with Hridoy.
In the final over, Jaker Ali and Hridoy amassed 17 runs, although Khan managed to dismiss Hridoy with the last delivery of the innings.
Gous' brief display of fireworks came to an abrupt end.
Monank Patel failed to capitalize on his second chance after being dropped by his counterpart Shanto in the third over. He fell victim to a run-out caused by Taylor's straight drive, with the ball grazing Shoriful Islam's fingertips as Patel found himself outside the crease at the non-striker's end.
In a swift turn of events, USA's No. 3 batsman Andries Gous found his rhythm, striking a boundary through the covers just two balls later. Taylor then dispatched Shakib for a six, paving the way for Gous to unleash two consecutive fours off Rishad Hossain in the seventh over. Gous continued his assault in the legspinner's following over, but his aggressive sweep shot resulted in a top edge, finding the deep backward square-leg boundary where Mustafizur Rahman secured a commendable tumbling catch.
Bangladesh put the brakes on USA's momentum.
Gous' dismissal put a halt to the USA's aggressive batting approach. Aaron Jones struggled to find his timing, prompting Taylor to attempt a lofted shot over mid-off. However, Mahmudullah's well-judged catch ended Taylor's innings at 28 off 29 balls. Jones followed suit on the very next delivery, skying a catch to Mustafizur Rahman, departing for 4 off 12 balls.
Nitish Kumar broke the boundary drought with a six off Shakib in the 14th over, ending a sequence of 31 balls without a boundary. However, he perished while trying to clear Shoriful in the 15th over. The left-arm pacer conceded just one run in that over, leaving the USA requiring 60 runs from the final five overs.
Anderson recalls his previous experiences.
While Harmeet was unleashing a barrage of big sixes, Anderson remained composed, focusing on his own game. The seasoned all-rounder from New Zealand eventually joined the party, smashing a six off his 22nd delivery by dispatching Mustafizur over long-on in the penultimate over. He followed it up with another six off Mahmudullah's first delivery in the final over. With just three runs needed off five balls, Anderson's timely hitting eased the pressure. Harmeet then sealed the historic victory for the home side by striking a boundary off the third ball of the over.