Simic Basilisk activated ability not working properly

Simic Basilisk's activated ability that's supposed to give deathtouch to a creature with a +1/+1 counter on it is not working properly.
I tried it on different creatures with counters on them but the creatures they damaged through combat were not destroyed at the end of combat.
I tried it on different creatures with counters on them but the creatures they damaged through combat were not destroyed at the end of combat.