A four-wicket loss in the third and final One Day International against Bangladesh at the National Stadium, Providence yesterday ensured West Indies suffered a series sweep.
West Indies lost their sixth straight toss and were asked to bat first for a third time where they were bowled out for 178 in 48.4 overs. This was their highest total of the series season but not enough to stop Bangladesh from roaring to their 11th consecutive win over the hosts as they reached 179 for six with nine balls to spare on the hottest day in Guyana since 1984.
Man of the Match, Taijul Islam reduced West Indies to 16 for three with batting heavyweights, Shai Hope and Brandon King falling victim to the 30-year-old left-arm spinner’s turn and bounce.
West Indies captain, Nicholas Pooran found his rhythm and got to his ninth half-century in the format. His top score of 73 came in 109 balls and saw him hitting four fours and two sixes while adding 67 for the fourth wicket with Keacy Carty, who is playing his first match of the tour.Pooran misjudged both the line and length of a tossed-up delivery by Islam and was castled while Rovman Powell (18) and Keemo Paul (six) followed soon after to give Islam his maiden five-wicket haul. He ended with 5-28.
After the match, Islam said he worked hard both mentally and physically preparing for the game but there was no added pressure, just an approach that centered on the basics.
Carty carried on to make 33 from 66 balls which featured two fours and a six but departed after a mistimed swing resulted in the ball going straight up before landing in the palms of Bangladesh captain, Tamim Iqbal off of Nasum Ahmed.
Ahmed also accounted for the wicket of Romario Shepherd who made a 22-ball 19 before being bowled. Ahmed ended with 2-39 while Mustafizur Rhaman returned 2-24.
In the chase, Alzarri Joseph removed Najmul Shanto in the seventh over for just one, but Litton Das and Iqbal compensated for the early loss with an even 50-run partnership.
Das toiled his way to 50 from 65 balls, hitting five fours and one six along the way but it took a full stretched diving Motie to his right, pulling off a stunning return catch to end his innings.
Two balls later, Motie bowled Afif Hossain for a second ball duck to leave West Indies in the hunt and Bangladesh tattering at 96 for four.
Motie also dismissed Iqbal for 34 from 52 balls with another flighted delivery with the opener attempting to sweep only to get a leading edge over fine leg where Akeal Hosein completed the catch.
The left-arm spinner ended with 4-23 when substitute fielder, Jayden Seales held on to a juggling catch at long off to dismiss Mosaddek Hossain for 14.
Nevertheless, Nurul Hasan and Mehidy Miraz got Bangladesh over the line. Hasan ended with 32 not out after hitting four boundaries while Miraz made an unbeaten 16-run cameo.
