'300-plus was needed' admits Miraz after Bangladesh lose 2nd ODI against West Indies
"Our score wasn't enough, 300-plus was needed," admitted Miraz during the post-match presentation.
Bangladesh's stand-in skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz pointed to the team's poor batting performance as the reason for their seven-wicket defeat against the West Indies in the second ODI of the three-match series in St. Kitts on Tuesday.
Opening batter Brandon King and pacer Jayden Seales played pivotal roles in the hosts' commanding victory, which secured the series win.
This marked the West Indies' first ODI series triumph against Bangladesh in a decade. In the series opener on Sunday, they had snapped Bangladesh's 11-match winning streak against them.
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"Our score wasn't enough, 300-plus was needed," admitted Miraz during the post-match presentation. "We bowled really well in the first ten overs, but on this wicket, it's hard for bowlers to defend an under-par score."
He further elaborated, "We didn't bat well in the middle overs. No partnerships. Mahmudullah [Riyad] and [Tanzim Hasan] Sakib played well, but it was our mistake (with bat in hand that cost us). We were 20 for 4, but even then, we thought we could come back."
After restricting Bangladesh to 227, the West Indies chased down the target with ease, finishing on 230-3 with 79 balls to spare. King was instrumental in the chase, scoring a sparkling 82 off 76 balls, laced with eight fours and three sixes. It was his seventh ODI half-century to go along with three centuries, and the knock served as a timely early birthday gift ahead of his 30th birthday on Monday.
King added 109 runs for the opening stand with Evin Lewis, who contributed 49 off 62 balls, including two fours and four sixes. King then partnered with Keacy Carty for a 66-run stand before being dismissed by a searing yorker from emerging pacer Nahid Rana. Carty chipped in with 45, while skipper Shai Hope (17) and Sherfane Rutherford (24) saw the team home. Rutherford sealed the win with a towering six off Shoriful Islam.
"We were clinical," said Hope after the match. "We've been struggling to win series at home, but we hope to finish 3-0 now. Every game is important; we're trying to earn points and get up on the ladder to ensure we make the next ODI World Cup."
Earlier, Seales delivered a career-best performance with figures of 4-22 from nine overs, dismantling Bangladesh's top order. He removed Soumya Sarkar, Litton Das, and Miraz, leaving the visitors reeling at 54-3.
Tanzid Hasan showed resilience with a patient 46, while the experienced Mahmudullah, playing his 237th ODI, top-scored with 62, including two fours and four sixes. Mahmudullah also shared a vital 92-run eighth-wicket stand with Tanzim Hasan Sakib, who contributed 45, helping Bangladesh cross the 200-run mark.
The final match of the series is scheduled for Thursday at the same venue, followed by a three-match T20 series in Kingstown.
