Bangladesh lose T20 series against WI
Sports Reporter, Dhaka
Bangladesh squandered a golden chance to inflict a tour sweep on any team for the first time in a series, combining all the three formats in cricket. Standing on the brink of a history, they came up with a wretched batting display to lose the series-deciding third T20 by 50 runs against West Indies in an eventful day, which was hit hard by a no-ball controversy at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital yesterday. The no-ball puzzle in the fourth over of the hosts chase also seemed to have distracted their concentration after getting onto a marauding start as the Tigers batting order tasted a sensational collapse to be all out for 140 in 17 overs in reply to West Indies 190 in 19.2 overs. After being whitewashed in the two-match Test series (2-0) and losing the ODI series 2-1, West Indies finally gave their countrymen a Christmas gift as promised by captain Carlos Brathwaite, winning the T20 series 2-1.
Fast bowler Keemo Paul was the wrecker-in-chief with five for 15, recording a best bowling figure by a West Indian bowler in T20s. He was aptly aided by left-arm spinner Fabian Allen who claimed two for 19 in four overs.
Bangladesh made a rapid start, thanks to Liton Das, despite losing opener Tamim Iqbal to run out for 8. Liton capitalised West Indies bowlers wretched bowling to help Bangladesh propel past 50 in just four overs after which fast bowler Oshane Thomas got him with a delivery which umpire called a no-ball.
By noticing Thomass foot on the line in the giant screen placed at the ground, West Indies, led by Carlos Brathwaite, protested the decision immediately and game was stopped for some 15 minutes. West Indies sought a review, only to be denied by an ICC law, which didnt keep any clause of review in case of line decisions. Match referee Jeff Crowe had to intervene and calmed thing down.
The no-ball stood but it fuelled West Indies to such extent that they hit back with three wickets sparing one run in nine balls with Allen and Paul at the fore. Allen got Soumya Sarkar (9) and Shakib Al Hasan for duck in consecutive deliveries before Paul started his party, dismissing Mushfiqur Rahim (1) with a slower.
From 56 for one before the no ball controversy, Bangladesh were reduced to 66 for four in no time.
Paul then ran though the Bangladesh batting line up, varying his pace well to leave Bangladesh on 96 for eight and became only the second West Indies bowler to take a five-for in T20 cricket after former skipper Darren Sammy (5-26) against Zimbabwe in 2010.
Mehidy Hasan Miraj (19) and Abu Haider (22 not out) took Bangladesh past 100 runs to save face.
However, Bangladesh bowlers bowled extremely well half-way through the innings to deny West Indies going past 200 after Shakib Al Hasan opted to bowl first as his side was seeking a victory against West Indies in all three formats.
Bangladesh whitewashed West Indies in two-match Test series before winning the ODI series by 2-1.
Earlier, Evin Lewis launched West Indies in aggressive style and the visitors racked up 88 runs in the first power play with the loss of Shai Hope for 12-ball 23.
Lewis got the momentum in the third over of the innings of fast bowler Abu Haider whom he dispatched for 27 runs including four sixes, two of which distanced 104 and 107 meters.
Bangladesh came back strongly through off-spinner Mahmudullah Riyad (3-17) who removed Lewis, leaving West Indies 122-3 and sparked the collapse. Shakib (3-37) and Mustafizur Rahman (3-33) joined Mahmudullah to deny West Indies capitalise the fast start.
IK
