Bangladesh batsmen Tamim Iqbal ( L) and Sakib al Hasan bat during their one-day international against West Indies in Guyana on Thursday. AFP photo
Bangladesh wasted a very good opportunity to seal their first series win in overseas for nine years when they lost the second one-day international of a three-match series against West Indies by three runs in Guyana on Thursday.
Set a target of 272 runs, Bangladesh seemed to be coasting when Mushfiqur Rahim struck a fifty after yet another solid partnership from Tamim Iqbal and Sakib al Hasan before they made a mess in the final two overs.
Needing eight runs off the last seven balls, Sabbir Rahman (12) hoisted a catch at deep square leg before Mushfiq ( 68) fell in the first ball of the final over to make things suddenly difficult for Bangladesh.
Mosaddek Hossain conceded next two balls as dot and then scampered for three runs in two balls to leave skipper Mashrafee bin Murtaza in need of hitting a six in the last delivery of the innings.
Bowler Jason Holder kept his cool as Mashrafee could collect only a single, meaning Bangladesh ended their chase with 268-6, replying to West Indies’ 271-9 in 50 overs.
Shimron Hetmyer’s 125 off 93 balls nicely set up West Indies innings but Bangladesh were on top most of the time, thanks to their prolific start.
Anamul Haque were off to a flyer, hitting 23 off nine balls before a 97-run second wicket partnership between Tamim and Sakib gave Bangladesh a good platform.
Tamim and Sakib, who shared 207 runs in 48-run win in the first game, fell for 54 and 56 runs respectively, but another solid partnership between Mushfiq and Mahmudullah put Bangladesh back in control.
Mahmudullah was run out for 39, leaving the onus on Mushfiq , who, unfortunately for Bangladesh could not finish the job.
Earlier, Rubel Hossain took 3-61 for Bangladesh while Sakib al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman claimed two wickets each.
Source: New Age.