After barely making it through 40 minutes on Day 5 at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua today, Bangladesh suffered a 201-run loss to the West Indies in the opening cricket test.
As they chased a victory target of 334 and were reduced to 109-7, the result was inevitable.
Despite the retirement of No. 11 batsman Shoriful Islam due to an injury worry, Bangladesh managed to score 132-9 with just 23 more runs.
The two-match Test series is presently 1-0 in favour of the West Indies.West Indies struck just in the second over of the day when Hasan Mahmud edged a delivery of Alzarri Joseph behind to be out for duck.
Jaker Ali who resisted with utmost confidence finally broke down as Alzarri Joseph trapped him leg-before for 31.
Finally, Joseph concluded with 2-32. However, fast bowlers Kemar Roach and Jayden Seals did the majority of the work, tearing through Bangladesh’s batting order with three wickets each.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the team’s stand-in captain, led the scoring with 45 goals, while Liton Das was the other standout scorer with 22.
Justin Greaves’ outstanding 115 helped the West Indies declare their first innings at 450-9.
Despite falling behind by 181 runs in the first innings, Bangladesh also declared 269-9. The decision was believed to keep the pacers, specially Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam, the last wicket pair at that time, fresh for the second innings.
The strategy paid the dividends as Taskin scythed down West Indies batting line in impeccable bowling show. He registered his career-best 6-64 as the hosts were bowled out for 152.
Still they could set a 334-run target for Bangladesh, largely thanks to their 181-run first innings lead.
Justin Greaves who hit his maiden century, also took two wickets in Bangladesh’s first innings and was adjudged man of the match.
The second Test begins on November 30 at Kingston.
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