DHAKA, Dec 11, 2024 (BSS)-Bangladesh stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz mentioned that the lack of partnership from the top order batters cost them the second game, which resulted in an ODI series defeat at the hands of West Indies for the first time since 2014.

The visitors lost the second game by seven wickets at Warner Park in St Kitts today, following the five-wicket defeat in the first match, giving West Indies an unassailable 2-0 lead.

"We did not bat well in the middle overs and could not get the partnerships going," Miraz said after the match.

"Mahmudullah and Tanzim Sakib tried their best at the end with the bat. They (West Indies) bowled really well and the first few overs they did not allow us to get runs and Seales was bowling really well."

Bangladesh were reduced to 115-7 and were in danger of being bowled out below 150 but Mahmudullah Riyad and Tanzim Hasan Sakib put on a record 92 runs partnership to help the side rack up 227 before being all out. Mahmudullah made a team-best 62 and Tanzim scored 45.

Pace bowler Jayden Seals wrecked havoc on Bangladesh's top order, removing Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar and Miraz for a single digit figure. He thereafter took the wicket of Mahmudullah to finish with 4-22.

But the total Bangladesh put on looked vulnerable on a pitch ideal for batting.

"We knew 228 was not going to be enough on this wicket. We bowled really well in the first 10 overs, but there are some areas we need to improve on," Miraz said, admitting that they need to put in hard yards to avoid a series sweep.

West Indies captain Shai Hope, meanwhile, was unarguably happy to confirm the series with a match to go.

"Very pleased (the way we won the series). You understand the importance of wickets in the power play and the bowlers delivered what was asked of them," Hope said.

"We always analyze our game whether we win or lose and it is nice to see us ticking boxes and keep improving. We asked the guys to finish the series up here 2-0 and one more to go, so looking forward to it."

But Hope doesn't want to stay relaxed despite confirming the series. He made it clear that their next target is to win the third game was also to sweep the series and earn some crucial points for a direct qualification into the next ODI World Cup.

"Every game is important and it is critical in terms of getting those points which will help us qualify for the next World Cup," he said.