Bangladesh ended a 15-year wait for a Test victory in the Caribbean as they triumphed by 101 runs over the West Indies at Sabina Park in Jamaica on Tuesday. The historic win, which came after more than a decade and a half, was powered by an exceptional performance from veteran spinner Taijul Islam, who claimed his 15th five-wicket haul in Tests. His impressive spell of 5/50 helped bowl out the West Indies for just 185 runs in their second innings, allowing Bangladesh to record their first-ever Test victory in the Caribbean since July 2009.
This victory also leveled the two-match series 1-1 and propelled Bangladesh ahead of the West Indies in the ICC World Test Championship standings, moving them into eighth place. The West Indies will have the opportunity to reclaim their position when they face Pakistan in a two-match series next year, but Bangladesh will carry forward significant momentum from this remarkable win.
Taijul’s heroics in the second innings were crucial to Bangladesh’s success, but the win was also a collective effort from the team. Fast bowler Nahid Rana, playing in only his second Test, claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in the West Indies’ first innings, taking 5/61. Pacer Taskin Ahmed, who was named joint Player of the Series, was a key figure throughout the match with his consistent bowling. Jaker Ali also contributed with a vital innings of 91, helping Bangladesh set a challenging target of 287 for the West Indies.
Though the West Indies fought valiantly, particularly through Kavem Hodge (55) and captain Kraigg Brathwaite (43), they were unable to build significant partnerships in the second innings. Bangladesh’s bowlers, especially Taijul, struck at crucial moments, ensuring the visitors claimed victory late on the fourth day.
Taijul, named Player of the Match, expressed his joy at the achievement, noting, “It’s a great feeling to win a Test match abroad, which we don’t often do, and all the boys really put in a tremendous effort.” West Indies captain Brathwaite, on the other hand, rued his team’s inability to capitalize on their early momentum and the collapse in the first innings, which ultimately led to their defeat. He acknowledged, “We wanted to be positive and I thought we started well, but obviously we couldn’t carry it through to the end of the day.”
