KINGSTON, JAMAICA — Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam delivered a masterful performance at Sabina Park, leading Bangladesh to a resounding 101-run victory over the West Indies in the second Test.
This landmark win ended a 14-year drought for Bangladesh in Test cricket and leveled the two-match series 1-1, leaving the West Indies without a Test series win for the year.
Taijul’s devastating spell of 5-50 — his 14th five-wicket haul in Tests — dismantled the West Indies’ batting line-up on a challenging fourth day, as they were bowled out for a paltry 185 in pursuit of 287 on Tuesday.
A bold start, a swift collapse
The West Indies began their chase with promise, reaching 23 without loss in five overs, with openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis showing intent against Bangladesh’s pacers. However, skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s tactical introduction of Taijul just before lunch turned the game.
In his very first over, Taijul removed Louis, whose failed attempt to fend off a quicker delivery ended in a sharp catch by Shahadat Hossain at short leg.
After lunch, Brathwaite and Keacy Carty appeared to stabilize the innings, with Brathwaite even launching Taijul over long-on for a rare six. But Taskin Ahmed delivered a peach of a delivery that nicked Carty’s bat, and soon after, Brathwaite was undone by a spinning masterpiece from Taijul, departing for 43.
Hodge’s lone resistance
Kavem Hodge emerged as the lone warrior for the West Indies, crafting a valiant 55 off 75 balls. Despite his gritty half-century, the hosts crumbled in the final session, losing six wickets for just 52 runs.
Hodge fell plumb lbw to Taijul, and Justin Greaves, who contributed 20, succumbed to a low delivery from Taskin. The lower order offered little resistance, with Hasan Mahmud returning to wipe out the tail, ensuring a swift end to the innings.
Bangladesh’s commanding all-round effort
Earlier, Jaker Ali set up Bangladesh’s dominance with an exquisite 91, narrowly missing his century. His blistering knock, laced with five sixes and eight boundaries, pushed Bangladesh to a second-innings total of 268, leaving the West Indies with a near-impossible target.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s decision to rotate his bowlers paid dividends, but it was Taijul’s clinical spell that highlighted the visitors’ tactical brilliance and exposed the West Indies’ continued struggles against spin.
Taijul’s reflections
Reflecting on his performance, Taijul said: “This victory is a proud moment for our team. The conditions favored me, and I executed my plans. It feels great to contribute to a win after such a long time.”
For the West Indies, the defeat underscored a challenging year in Test cricket. Despite glimpses of brilliance from players like Brathwaite and Hodge, the team’s inconsistency, particularly against spin, remains a glaring weakness.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, will cherish this historic victory as a testament to their resilience and rising prowess on the international stage.
