Bangladesh secure historic 101-run victory over West Indies in Kingston Test

Bangladesh made history with a 101-run win over the West Indies in the second Test at Sabina Park, ending a 15-year drought in the Caribbean. 

This win leveled the two-match series 1-1 and marked their first Test victory in the West Indies since 2009.

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam and batter Jaker Ali were the stars for Bangladesh. 

Taijul took 5 wickets for 50 runs in the final innings, helping to bowl out the West Indies for just 185 as they chased 287. 

This was Taijul’s 15th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, and his first on Caribbean soil in 10 years. He had good support from seamers Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, and Nahid Rana, who shared the rest of the wickets.

Earlier, Jaker Ali’s brisk 91 in Bangladesh’s second innings helped them set a strong lead. Starting the fourth day at 193 for 5, Jaker added 62 of the 75 runs the team made in the morning before they were all out for 268. 

His innings, which included five sixes and eight fours, came despite being hit on the helmet by a bouncer from Alzarri Joseph early in the day.

The West Indies began their chase well, with captain Kraigg Brathwaite scoring 43 and Kavem Hodge hitting 55. 

But Taijul’s spin ripped through their middle order, taking the key wickets of both Brathwaite and Hodge. The West Indies lost their last six wickets for just 42 runs as the Bangladesh bowlers took advantage of the turning pitch at Sabina Park.

This win was a big comeback for Bangladesh after a heavy defeat in the first Test. Stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz praised his bowlers, saying, “Nahid in the first innings, and Taskin and Hasan Mahmud were outstanding. Taijul in the second innings was amazing.”

For the West Indies, this loss again showed their batting struggles. Despite a strong start to their chase, they couldn’t handle the disciplined bowling from Bangladesh. Brathwaite said, “The batting group needs more consistency and hard work.”

This was Bangladesh’s fourth Test win in 2024, equaling their best year in Test cricket. It also showed their growing confidence in overseas conditions, with key contributions from both experienced players and younger ones like Jaker and Rana. 

Both teams will now move on to a three-match ODI and T20I series.