Litton owns up as Windies seal series

"I have to improve myself. If I was there, the match would have finished earlier," Bangladesh captain Litton Das said, his voice heavy with regret, after Bangladesh's 14-run defeat to the West Indies in the second T20I in Chattogram on Wednesday.

It wasn't just another loss -- it was the end of a home streak, the loss of a series, and perhaps a mirror held up to Bangladesh's recurring frailties.

The evening had begun with hope. At the toss, Litton was confident: if they could keep the West Indies under 180, they would back themselves to chase it down.

The bowlers answered that call -- and more. Mustafizur Rahman's cunning cutters, Rishad Hossain's sharp variations, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib's discipline combined to restrict the visitors to a modest 149-9.

At one stage, the West Indies looked set for a total well past 180. Alick Athanaze and Shai Hope had powered their way to a century stand, both striking fluent fifties. But from 108 for one in the 12th over, the visitors crumbled.

Mustafizur's spell of 3 for 21, backed by Rishad's 2 for 20, ripped through the middle order. Nasum Ahmed added two wickets in one over, sparking a collapse of eight wickets for just 44 runs.

When the Windies ended on 149 for nine, the crowd sensed this was Bangladesh's night.

But as the lights brightened over the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium, the mood began to dim. What should have been a comfortable chase unravelled into frustration and hesitation.

Tanzid Hasan Tamim, calm and composed, anchored the innings with a fluent 61 off 48 balls -- his ninth T20I fifty. Yet, around him, chaos reigned. Saif Hassan, Litton, Tawhid Hridoy, and Jaker Ali all got starts but none could seize the moment.

Litton himself managed a brisk 23 before Akeal Hosein breached his defense. The skipper's dismissal left a hush over the stands -- a silence that only deepened as the innings wore on.

By the 16th over, Bangladesh were 108 for 3, needing 42 runs from 24 balls. The crowd believed. But the momentum stalled. Singles replaced boundaries, and hesitation replaced intent.

The 17th over brought nine runs, the next seven, then just five. Tanzid's dismissal in the 18th -- top-edging a slog sweep -- was the final turning point. When Akeal returned for the last over, Bangladesh needed 21. They fell 14 short. The innings ended on 135 for 8.

As the final wicket fell, the Chattogram crowd fell silent. Litton faced the cameras afterward, shoulders heavy yet words honest.

"Our bowlers have done a really good job," he said. "I feel sorry for them. 150 is not a big total. We got stuck, and whenever we got stuck, we got out. I had to stay there till 13–14 overs."

It was Bangladesh's second defeat in as many games, sealing the series for the West Indies with one to play. Friday's final match would be just for pride.