Despite a spectacular late order rally in which 72 runs were scored from the last five overs, the West Indies lost the second T20 International by one run as England levelled the five-match Betway Series at one game apiece at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Sunday (January 23).

Sputtering at 98 for 8 and needing 74 from 29 balls, Romario Shepherd and Akeal Hosein plundered the England bowling attack but ran out of balls at 170 for 8, one run shy of England’s first innings total of 171-7 from their allotment of overs.

Shepherd remained unbeaten on 44 at the end from 28 deliveries but it was Hosein who lit up the night skies in Barbados smashing four sixes and four fours in his 16-ball knock of 44 not out.

Once again, it was the West Indies top order that failed to deliver. Brandon King was out without scoring while Hope ran himself out after scoring only two. Nicholas Pooran and Darren Bravo took the score from 6-2 to 47 when Pooran was out caught in the deep.

Captain Kieron Pollard (1), Darren Bravo (23), Jason Holder (1) and Odean Smith (12) were out in quick succession as the West Indies slumped to 65-7 in the 12th over.

Fabian Allen was next to go for 12 in the 16th over to leave the West Indies facing an embarrassing defeat at 98 for 8.

With the West Indies needing 30 from the last six balls, Hosein hit two fours from the first three legal deliveries and then three consecutive sixes off Saqib Mahmood in a valiant but futile effort.

Pollard said the West Indies lost too many wickets too quickly earlier in the innings.

“We lost wickets in clusters but the way we fought at the back end, they can hit the ball a long way, and the confidence that Akeal has; and Shepherd wants to put up his hand and take responsibility,” said Pollard, who conceded that his side has a clear weakness against spin.

Moeen Ali was the bane of the West Indies batters taking 3-24 while Ali Rashid returned figures of 2-24 to rip the heart of the West Indies top order. Pollard assured, however, that his side would find a way to overcome this particular challenge.

 “Spin has been a thorn for us, we will overcome it, we are working diligently but the biggest disappointment was our fielding display. But confidence is high and it augurs well for the next three games,” he said.

After being sent to bat by the West Indies, England owed the winning total to Jason Roy, who scored 45. He got support from Ali, who was dropped twice on his way to 31. Chris Jordan produced another lower-order cameo scoring 27 from 15 balls that helped England to 171-7.

Jason Holder was the best of the West Indies bowlers with 2-25. Fabien Allen who made the early breakthroughs took 2-50. His final over, bowling to Roy, went for 24.