West Indies lost the three-match series (2-1) to Bangladesh by 18 runs in the third and final One-Day International (ODI), to extend their painstaking four-year wait for a series win.
Chasing 302 — their highest ever target against Bangladesh — West Indies once again stumbled in the middle overs and were restricted to 283 for 6 off their 50 overs. Rovan Powell’s late assault on the Bangladesh bowlers proved in vain but lacked support down the order as the West Indies lost wickets at critical moments to tumble to their 12th defeat in 17 ODIs inside the last 12 months.
Hard-hitting batsman Chris Gayle struck 73 at the top of the order and stroke-maker Shai Hope chipped in with 64.
However, he was ultra-cautious and the run chase stalled leaving the West Indies with too much to do over the last 10 overs.
Powell, who smashed five fours and four sixes in his knock of 74, dominated a 45-run, fifth wicket stand with Hope and a 38-run, sixth wicket partnership with captain Jason Holder (nine), the Caribbean side came up short of 18 runs.
Needed to score six runs an over, the West Indies were anchored up front by Gayle who put on 53 for the opening stand with Evin Lewis (13) and a further 52 for the second wicket.
Gayle faced 66 balls, striking seven fours and five sixes. He brought up his 49th ODI half century off just 40 balls in the 15th over but perished to a catch in the deep, off seamer Rubel Hosain.
Bangladesh left-handed opener Tamim Iqbal had earlier lashed 103 from 124 balls — his second century of the series — as Bangladesh rallied to 301 for 6 off their allotted 50 overs. He was named Man-of-the-Match and Man-of-the-Series.
