There is an old saying. All well that ends well. It did not happen for Bangladesh Cricket team in year 2018. West Indies won the last T20 match by 50 runs and won the three matches T20 series 2-1. [Read also: অনাকাঙ্ক্ষিত বিরতিতেই ঘটেছে মনোযোগে ব্যাঘাত!]

[caption id="attachment_111525" align="aligncenter" width="970"] Players and umpires in a discussion after a confusion over a no-ball[/caption]   Bangladesh earlier won test series 2-0 and ODI series 2-1. It could be a treble series win if Bangladesh could win yesterday and complete 2018 in high. A golden opportunity emerged for Bangladesh after they leveled the T20 series 1-1 winning the second match by 36 runs. The first match was won by West Indies by 8 wickets. Yesterday at SBNCS Bangladesh bowlers successfully turned the tide from a very tide corner after West Indies raced to 90/2 by the 7^th over. Flamboyant Elvin Lewis produced an explosive 89 in only 36 deliveries studded with 6 fours and 8 sixes.  A magical spell of 3/18 by man with golden arm Mahmudullah Riyad wretched the initiative back to Bangladesh. West Indies was restricted to 190 all out when a score of well beyond 200 was looming. However, Bangladesh panicked in the chase. Keemo Paul delivered deadly spell grabbing 5/15. Bangladesh was shot out for 140 and lost the match and the series. West Indies carried Lewis in the series as sleeping tiger. He was to fire at any moment. Luckily for West Indies it came in torrent at the very crucial moment. His blistering innings put paid to Bangladesh efforts. Shell shocked Bangladesh failed producing their A game while batting.   [caption id="attachment_111513" align="alignleft" width="346"] Tamim Iqbal was run out early in the innings[/caption] Four senior pros Tamim, Shakib, Musfiq and Mahmudullah together produced only 20 runs. Only Liton scored 43 and later order batsmen Abu Hider scored unbeaten 22 and Mehidy 19. Bangladesh could reach as far as 140 which was still 50 runs too less. West Indies at long last salvaged one pride winning the last series of 2018 by 2-1. Lewis won the man of the match while Shakib for his wonderful all-round performances throughout the series was adjudged player of the series. Many would dispute Shakib’s decision of putting West Indies to bat after winning the toss. It was desperate do or die match for them. Perhaps Shakib was too worried for dew factor. West Indies was desperate and desperate was also Elvin Lewis for producing an innings fitting to his reputation. From the very first over he was on song. He produced a hurricane innings which matches only his original partner Chris Gayle. He blasted 8 massive sixes and 6 fours in his 36 balls innings of 89. Shakib had no option but trying with his jack pot Mahmudullah Riyad. What a wonderful spell he bowled. He had Lewis, Hetmyer and Powell removed giving away only 18 runs in his 4 overs. His works spurred the entire team as Shakib 3/39 and Mustafiz 3/33 also joined the act. West Indies was all out for 190. It was not well beyond Bangladesh. But chasing a target of 191 always gets tricky unless the team gets a good start. West Indies pacers were a bit wayward all right bowling too many wide and no balls. Bangladesh also panicked.     Tamim got himself run out. Shakib got out first ball, Mushfiq scored only 1, Mahmudullah also got out cheaply at 11. None other than Liton could score anything substantial. However, when all appeared lost Abu Hider 22 not out and Mehidy 19 made last efforts. But that only reduced the margin of defeat to 50 runs. West Indies won the match and the series 2-1. Keemo Paul had a wonderful spell of pace bowling taking 5/15 in probing 4 overs. Fabian Allen took 2/19. West Indies finally produced a performance fitting to their reputation as the T20 world leaders. Bangladesh had mixed success over the past three months in international cricket in home series against Zimbabwe. It has lot of brain storming to be done ahead of another hectic 2019 when among all ICC World cup ranks high in agenda. Bangladesh must find at least a winning bowling combination a pair which can bowl well in death overs and bat in explosive manner also in death overs. Bangladesh has not attained maturity for adjusting to changing circumstances yet. Yesterday when Lewis was blasting absence of Mashrafe’s wit and talent was keenly missed. Watch the match highlights here-   - Saleque Sufi