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West Indies Vs Bangladesh 3rd T20 International Match Played at SBNCS Dhaka
West Indies 190 ( Elvin Lewis 89 , Pooran 29 , SD Hope 19, Mahmudullah Riad 3/18 , Mustafizur Rahman 3/33 , Shakib al Hasan 3/39) beat Bangladesh 140 All Out ( Liton K Das 43 , Abu Hider 22* , Mehidy Miraj 19 , K Paul 5/15 , F Allen 2/19 by 50 runs.
West Indies Won The Series 2-1
Man Of The Match: Elvin Lewis
Man Of The Series : Shakib Al Hasan
Sizzling hot Elvin Lewis (89) and West Indian bowlers Paul (5/15) and Allen (2/19) salvaged pride for West Indies pulverizing inconsistent Bangladesh in the third T20 International by 50 runs. West Indies finally won a T20 International series 2-1.
Being put into bat Lewis powered West Indies to 190 all out after Shakib winning the toss. Firing all cylinders West Indies raced to 74 by the 7th over riding on explosive 89 by flamboyant Elvin Lewis. He plundered 6 fours and 8 sixes in his 36 balls 89. Man with the golden arm Mahmudullah in a magical spell of 3/18 turned the tide for the host. Spurred by his success Shakib and Mustafiz also bowled exceedingly well restricting West Indies to 190 which at one stage promised going well beyond 200. Bangladesh responding was shell shocked by Kimo Paul (5/32) and Fabian Allen (2/19).
The home side could reach as far as 140, thereby losing the match by 50 runs. West Indies won the three matches T20 series by 50 runs. West Indies won the first T20 by 8 wickets; Bangladesh squared the series winning the second match by 36 runs. Bangladesh earlier won the Test series 2-0 and ODI series 2-1.
Winning the series through a very special performance by a very special player Elvin Lewis underlined West Indian superiority in shortest format of the game. Bangladesh performance shocked many even after their brilliant come back with the bowling. Chasing a target of 191 against a team having lightening fast pace bowlers is not always a piece of cake. Bangladesh looked panicked and confused while batting. In such a match seniors Tamim, Shakib, Mushfique and Mahmudullah are expected to deliver. But all four failed. Only Liton could play to his potential scoring 43. But even his innings was marred with controversy. Umpire Tanvir made a mistake calling a delivery of Thomas no ball and later given out by third umpire on review. But the controversy led match referee interfering and ruling out third umpire decision. However Liton could not capitalize. Rest of the batsmen failed repeating the performance of the second T20.
However later order batsmen Abu Hider and Mehidy Miraj did their best for pulling out surprise. But their best could only reduce margin to 50 runs. Bangladesh has genuine problem batting consistently well against genuine pace. Many would rue Shakib’s decision of bowling after winning the toss in the crunch match specially after winning the second ODI batting first. Dew factor often confuses teams
West Indies carried Elvin Lewis as a sleeping tiger all the way. He had very poor first and second T20. But the able partner of West Indian blockbuster Chris crisis blasted everything thrown to him all over the park in the crunch moment. His hurricane hit badly bruised, battered and humiliated Bangladesh. Even brilliant Shai Hope at the other end looked like a mere pedestrian. Shell shocked Shakib resorted to his last dice Mahmudullah. He responded with two wickets in his very fast over removing Lewis and Hetmeyer in successive deliveries. But by that time Lewis triggered the damage striking 6 fours and 8 towering sixes in his 36 balls 89. Mahmudullah’s performance (3/18) spurred Bangladeshis. Shakib ( 3/37 ) and Mustafiz (3/33) joined the act restricting West Indies to 190 all out. Only Pooran (29) and Hope (19) could carry forward Lewis heroics briefly. The score which once promised going beyond 200 fell well short.
Bangladesh required Tamim firing and a sizable opening stand. But after Tamim ran himself early there was top order collapse. None but Liton could survive. Soumya ,Shakib , Mushfique and Mahmudullah perished chiefly. Even Liton could not continue longer. It was not Cottrell or Thomas; rather it was Kimo Paul who grew into monster against Bangladesh. West Indians were a bit wayward bowling no balls and wide. Umpire Tanvir also made a mistake ruling a delivery of Thomas no ball which got him Liton’s wicket. West Indies captain Brathwaite reviewed. Third umpire ruled Liton out. But his decision was later over turned by match referee Jeff Crowe as the review was asked beyond the time allowed. Liton survived but soon got out. However his 43 remained the highest Bangladesh score. Kimo Pual grabbing 5/15 dealt killer strikes in Bangladesh batting. Tamim, Shakib, Mushfique and Mahmudullah all together contributed only 20. Only Abu Hider’s unbtean 21 and Miraj 19 could reduce the margin of defeat. Bangladesh was looking down the barrel at 8/89 at one stage.
People would make post mortem in different ways. Perhaps Shakib’s thought of bowling first was dominated by dew factor. But putting West Indies batting first on a crunch match was perhaps a mistake. In a do or die match West Indies would have fired at any stage with so many power hitters. Chasing a huge target always becomes an issue under light. Bangladesh looked panicked all the way while batting. Seniors failed. It was way too much for the youngsters for regrouping and snatching the victory. Bangladesh could not carry on the momentum it got from the recovery they made at the later stage of West Indies innings. Charge of the light brigade could not carry them through.
It is sad that team tigers could not cap off year 2018 with another series win. However, it ended brightly for West Indies with a series win finally. Bangladesh was left pondering what went wrong in the match. However, West Indies was much better team in the T20 series. Hope team tigers would learn from the defeat. Bangladesh definitely lacks temperament and skills for batting well consistently. In pressure cooker situation batsmen loose focus.
Bangladesh must carry out extensive post mortem on the pains and gains of the last two months in international home series against Zimbabwe and West Indies. Many milestones were achieved but some limitations were also exposed. 2019 is going to be another big year of many events at abroad and home.
BDST: 0943 HRS, DEC 23, 2018
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