Bangladesh conceded their third straight defeat in the Super 12 phase of the Twenty20 World Cup following their heartbreaking 3-run defeat to West Indies at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
The Tigers are all but out of the semifinal race after this.
They however came agonizingly close to a victory as they needed 13-run in the last over to seal the deal but despite the presence of the captain Mahmudullah Riyad in the crease, they failed to nail it, largely thanks to a superb bowling of Andre Russell.
The West Indies pacer kept it simple and denied Mahmudullah and Afif Hossain any boundary in that over, to finally restrict Bangladesh to 139-5 after they put up a moderate 142-7.
Liton Das was the highest scorer for Bangladesh 44 off 43, hitting four fours. Skipper Mahmudullah Riyad was not out on 31 off 24, an innings studded with tow fours and one six.
He and Liton kept Bangladesh’s hope to win the game alive, by sharing 40 off 33, for the fifth wicket but the dismissal of Liton in the last ball of penultimate over, helped the Caribbean hit back into the game.
And Andre Russell’s magnificent last over kept the defending champions alive in the tournament.
Liton came down to No.3 to bat to allow Shakib Al Hasan to open the innings with Naim Sheikh. But this strategic move failed to fetch any result as Shakib was dismissed for 9, soon after Naim Sheikh was removed for 17, leaving Bangladesh in tricky position.
But out-of-form Liton and Soumya Sarkar steadied the innings before Akeal Hosein provided the breakthrough, dismissing Sarkar for 17.
Liton kept going even though the senior like Mushfiqur Rahim failed to carry on his start. He almost made the job done with captain Mahmudullah but the death over specialist Dwayne Bravo got him at the very crucial time. The credit should go to Jason Holder, who held on a tough catch to remove him.
Earlier, Bangladesh bowlers put up a good performance to restrict West Indies to 142-7.
The bowlers performance could be near perfect had Mustafizur Rahman not conceded 19 runs in the last over, that basically proved to be game-changer.
For West Indies, Nicholar Pooran was the top-scorer with 22 ball-40, in which he smashed one four and four sixes. Pooran indeed ignited West Indies innings after a disastrous start. He was ably supported by Roston Chase, who on his debut T20 match, played a patient 39 ball-46 to hold together the innings amid the regular wickets tumbling.
At the end, Jason Holder struck two sixes for his 15 off five to spoil Bangladesh’s bowling work to some extent.
Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah Riyad chose to bowl first and his bowlers justified the decision right.
Mustafizur Rahman broke through with the wicket of Evin Lewis with a top-edge for 6 after which Mahedi Hasan rattled the stump of Chris Gayle for 4.
Mahedi gave Bangladesh the double delight soon after getting rid of Shimron Hetmyer. Roston Chase kept one end intact but West Indies innings took a nosedive after captain Keiron Pollard was retired hurt and in the following delivery Andre Russell was run out in the non strike end after a drive of Chase hit the boot of Taskin before breaking the stump.
However as Bangladesh looked to take the complete control, Pooran came all guns blazing to make their plan disarray.
Bangladesh again came back into the match as Shoriful Islam removed well-set Pooran and Chase in consecutive deliveries. Pollard who again returned to ground after feeling well and Holder helped the side go past 140.
Mahedi, Mustafizur and Shoriful took two wickets apiece but Mustafizur was expensive, leaking 43 runs in his four overs.
