Bangladesh suffered an embarrassing five-wicket defeat to the USA in the opening game of their three-match T20 International series at Prairie View Cricket Complex today. 

Opting to bat first, Bangladesh managed a modest total of 153-6, which the USA successfully chased down, reaching 156-5 with three balls to spare. This historic victory marked the first-ever T20 encounter between the two sides.

Corey Anderson, the former New Zealand allrounder who recently debuted for the USA, played a crucial role, scoring an unbeaten 34 off 25 balls, including two sixes. Harmeet Singh, originally from India, provided the finishing touch with a rapid 33 not out off just 13 balls, featuring two fours and three sixes. Their aggressive partnership accelerated the USA's chase following a minor setback halfway through their innings.

The USA started solidly with Steven Taylor and captain Monank Patel putting up 27 runs in 3.1 overs before Patel was run out for 12. Taylor and Andries Gous kept the scoreboard ticking until Gous was dismissed for 23 by leg-spinner Rishad Hossain.

Mustafizur Rahman struck twice in quick succession, removing Taylor for 28 and Aaron Jones for 4, reducing the USA to 78-4 in the 12th over. Bangladesh appeared to be in control when Shoriful Islam dismissed Nitish Kumar, leaving the USA at 94-5. However, Anderson and Harmeet's calculated aggression secured the win for the USA, leaving Bangladesh in dismay.

Mustafizur ended with figures of 2-41 from his four overs, while Rishad and Shoriful each claimed one wicket.

Earlier, Towhid Hridoy's 47-ball 58 helped Bangladesh post a competitive total. Hridoy's innings, which included four fours and two sixes, was the highlight of an otherwise lackluster batting performance. Mahmudullah Riyad contributed 31 off 22 balls, featuring two fours and one six.

Bangladesh's top order struggled once again. Liton Das, preferred over the in-form Tanzid Hasan Tamim, managed only 14 off 15 balls. Soumya Sarkar looked promising with a quick 20 off 13 before falling, and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto's poor run continued as he was dismissed for just 3, leaving Bangladesh at 51-3 in 7.2 overs. Shakib Al Hasan was run out for 6, deepening Bangladesh's woes at 68-4 in the 12th over.

A 67-run partnership between Mahmudullah and Hridoy provided some stability, but it was not enough to challenge the USA. Hridoy was dismissed on the last ball of the innings, with Jaker Ali Anik remaining unbeaten on 9 off 5 balls.

For the USA, Steven Taylor was the pick of the bowlers with 2-9 from three overs, while Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, and Jessy Singh each took a wicket.

Bangladesh will look to bounce back in the next game as they aim to keep the series alive.