Bangladesh spinner Taijul Islam puzzled the West Indies batters with his masterful left-arm spin on day four of the second Test in Jamaica, directing a 101-run triumph for the visitors and leveling the two-match series at 1-1.
Taijul Islam’s 15th five-wicket haul in Test cricket derailed West Indies’ pursuit of a 287-run target after Bangladesh posted 268 in their second innings, boosted by Jaker Ali’s career-best knock of 91.
West Indies skipper and opener Kraigg Brathwaite showed resilience with a gritty 43, while Kavem Hodge provided further resistance with a determined 55. However, after removing both openers, Taijul Islam’s masterful spell of 5 for 50 dismantled the middle order. The hosts failed to build partnerships as wickets tumbled at regular intervals throughout their innings. The home side was ultimately dismissed for 185 in precisely 50 overs, securing Bangladesh’s triumph. West Indies had claimed victory in the first Test in Antigua last week.
With the help of some grip and the odd low bounce on the pitch, spin became a factor, and left-arm spinner Taijul took full advantage and took 5-50, which were his best records in overseas conditions in over two and a half years and his best performance in West Indies after 2014 when he made his debut during the same venue test.
Taijul Islam's five-wicket haul helps Bangladesh to victory in Jamaica đź‘Ź#WIvBAN đź“ť https://t.co/J9qsQIllzv#WTC25 pic.twitter.com/Xjx78wza31
— ICC (@ICC) December 3, 2024
This is the first test win for Bangladesh in the Caribbean since their 2-0 series win against a weak West Indies side way back in 2009. Nahid Rana, who remained Bangladesh’s hope in the game by picking his first five for a maiden five-wicket haul, finished off the match with a yorker which was his rare wicket of the second innings as he dismissed Shamar Joseph. Fast bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud, who both took 2 wickets and were the stars of the crease Taskin broadened the gaps sealing the match with a win as well earning himself 11 wickets total for the series and the title.
First Innings
Bangladesh Score – 164/10 in 71.5 overs
Bangladesh batting performance
Shadman Islam 64(137)
Mehidy Hasan 36(75)
Jayden Seales 15.5-5-4
Shamar Joseph 15-49-3
Second Innings
West Indies Score – 146/10 in 65.0 overs
West Indies batting performance
Keacy Carty 40(115)
Kraigg Brathwaite 39(129)
Nahid Rana 18-61-5
Hasan Mahmud 11-19-2
Third Innings
Bangladesh Score – 268/10 in 59.5 overs
West Indies batting performance
Jaker Ali 91(106)
Shadman Islam 46(82)
Kemar Roach 10-36-3
Alzarri Joseph 15.5-77-3
Fourth Innings
West Indies Score – 185/10 in 50.0 overs
West Indies batting performance
Kavem Hodge 55(75)
Kraigg Brathwaite 43(63)
Taijul Islam 17-50-5
Hasan Mahmud 6-20-2
Jasir Basharat is a cricket enthusiast capturing the heart of the game through insightful analysis and storytelling sharing his passion for the sport through engaging narratives. He is a business graduate from University of Kashmir.
