CHATTOGRAM, Bangladesh (CMC) — Having lost their last three Twenty20 International series, the West Indies are trying to turn things around against Bangladesh, says veteran player Rovman Powell.

The regional side entered the three-match series against hosts Bangladesh reeling from 1-2 defeats against Nepal and Pakistan, respectively, along with a 0-5 whitewash at the hands of Australia in July.

In fact, the West Indies have won just one of their last eight T20I series, with their lone victory coming in a 1-0 triumph over minnows Ireland during their tour of England in June.

Among those defeats was a 0-3 drubbing by Bangladesh in December 2024, when they were thoroughly outplayed at home.

However, the West Indies took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series against Bangladesh by winning Monday’s opening match by 16 runs at Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium.

Victory in Wednesday’s second T20I at the same venue will help them secure the series with a match to spare.

They were led by standout performances by Player-of-the-Match Powell and Captain Shai Hope with the bat, and Jason Holder and Jayden Seales with the ball.

Powell blasted 44 runs from 28 balls and shared an unbroken partnership of 83 with Hope, who made 46 from 28 deliveries. Their stand boosted West Indies to 165 for three in their 20 overs.

Holder and Seales then took three wickets apiece to see them bowl out Bangladesh for 149 in 19.4 overs.

Speaking during an interview following the win, Powell, playing his 100th T20 match for West Indies, said sticking around to the end was key to the victory.

“At the end of the innings, I was really pleased. It was difficult for me to start on the wicket. At one point I was about seven off 20 deliveries. But I just kept believing that if I could get a good shot, a good boundary, I would turn it around. We just needed to go as deep as possible,” the 32-year-old explained.

Powell said the West Indies were aware of their recent struggles in the game’s shortest format.

However, he gave the assurance that they were doing everything in their power to get the sixth-ranked Windies back to their winning ways.

“We’ll try our best. Losing seven matches in a row, it doesn’t leave a good taste in our mouth.

“Myself and the guys are eager to turn that around and being 1-0 up against Bangladesh provides that opportunity for us to turn it around,” Powell said.

“We know Bangladesh is a tough team, especially at home, so we’re definitely looking towards the next game to see how best we can improve and win this series then,” he said.

POWELL… losing seven matches in a row, it doesn’t leave a good taste in our mouth