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Bangladesh restored some of their bruised self-esteem with a 10-wicket victory over the United States, with Mustafizur Rahman taking six wickets, in the third and final match of the three-match series in Houston on Saturday.
The Americans could only manage 104-9 in their 20 overs, with the visitors reaching that total in 11.4 overs without losing a wicket.
The United States surprised their higher-ranked opponents by winning their opening two matches to take the series 2-1 and provide a huge morale boost ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, which they will co-host with the West Indies.
The U.S. faces Canada in the tournament opener on Saturday in Dallas, but the humiliating defeat comes before then.
Shayan Jahangir and Andries Goose put on 46 each to get the home team off to a brilliant start but Goose scored 27 off 15 balls, including four fours and one six, before being run out by Soumya Sarkar at long-off off a Shakib Al Hasan delivery.
Jahin Gil, who had scored 18, tried to get Mustafizur out five balls later but was hit by Tanzim Hasan Saqib at square leg.
The Americans lost steam and added just 14 runs for the next three wickets, causing their run rate to plummet.
Left-arm medium-fast bowler Mustafizur returned to the death for the second time and took career-best figures of 6-10 in T20Is.
Bangladesh achieved the target easily – Tanjid Hasan scored 58 off 42 balls and Sowmiya scored 43 off 28 balls – but the American bowling attack was never able to apply any real pressure.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said he was happy with the way his team responded to the two defeats this week.
“I thought the guys showed great mentality today and I thought we all executed the plan we had before the game,” he said.
“It (losing the series) is very disappointing for us. To be honest, we didn’t play well. But we finished on a good note. I think the confidence going into the World Cup will help us. We know the conditions and everything. So, we have been through all that. Going into the World Cup with that experience, it will help our team,” he added.
USA vice-captain Aaron Jones said the US batsmen made poor decisions.
“I think it was just a matter of shot selection on our part. We were shooting poorly,” he said.
The U.S. will play two warm-up matches before facing Canada, facing Bangladesh again on Tuesday and hosting Nepal on Thursday, both at Grand Prairie in Dallas.
“I think we are still trying to get our combination in order for the World Cup, so these two games will be very important for us,” he added.
