West Indies Women Gear Up to Take on Bangladesh in 1st T20I at Warner Park

West Indies Women Gear Up to Take on Bangladesh in 1st T20I at Warner Park Apr, 18 2025

West Indies Women Aim for Strong Start Against Bangladesh in Opening T20I

Cricket fans are set for a thriller as the West Indies Women step onto their home turf at Warner Park, St. Kitts, facing Bangladesh Women in the opening T20I of their 2025 series on January 28. The hosts, riding high from a commanding win in the last ODI, are keen to continue their run while Bangladesh seeks to prove their game isn't just about flashes of brilliance.

The recent ODI leg told two stories: Bangladesh snatched a 60-run win in game two, showing grit. But the West Indies hit back hard in the third, hunting down Bangladesh's 184 with remarkable ease, losing just two wickets in the chase. Now, the series moves to T20, and with that shift, the spotlight swings to more explosive cricket and fresh strategies.

Key Players and Match Dynamics

West Indies Women come armed with real firepower. Skipper Hayley Matthews is the glue—her all-round skills make her both a run-machine and a wicket threat. And then there's Deandra Dottin, whose strike-rate can make bowlers shudder. She's known for flipping matches in just a few overs, and at Warner Park, the boundaries aren’t the biggest, so don’t be surprised if she goes big.

For Bangladesh Women, the mood is about resilience and stretching each contest. Nigar Sultana, their wicketkeeper-batter, has been the backbone in recent games, notching up crucial fifties even under pressure. Emerging opener Dilara Akter gives hope at the top, but for Bangladesh to really rattle West Indies, they’ll need a full batting effort without slow-downs at the end. Their bowling has done the job in patches, but the challenge is keeping up with Caribbean batters who like to cut loose.

  • Hayley Matthews: Captain, all-rounder, likely to lead from the front with both bat and ball.
  • Deandra Dottin: Power-hitter, can destroy bowling attacks in a handful of overs.
  • Nigar Sultana: Bangladesh’s anchor, has quietly become one of the most reliable batters in their lineup.

The context around this opener is clear: West Indies Women have experience and flair, while Bangladesh Women look to take the next step from being scrappy contenders to a real threat. Warner Park’s pitch normally helps batters settle in quickly, so both teams might eye 150-plus as par. Death overs could decide the game—if Bangladesh can break the habit of slowing down late, they may push for an upset.

Fans could see a high-scoring face-off if the first six overs go big and set the tone. For the West Indies, anything less than a dominant start would be a shock. For Bangladesh, building on their last ODI’s glimpses and stringing partnerships together isn’t optional—it’s a must if they want to trouble Matthews and her crew. The energy at Warner Park will be palpable as both teams chase an early edge in this three-match series.