West Indies defeated Bangladesh by eight wickets in the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Saturday, chasing down a target of 170 to hand the hosts their first Test defeat in home in two years. The loss also marked Bangladesh’s third consecutive home Test defeat against the Caribbean side.
Brandon King and John Campbell laid the foundation for the victory with a 121-run opening partnership. King remained unbeaten on 81, his career-best Test score, while Campbell contributed 49 before Shoriful Islam broke the stand by bowling the left-hander.
King struck 10 fours and a six in his 115-ball innings, while Kavem Hodge finished unbeaten on 31 off 27 deliveries to take West Indies over the line.
Bangladesh’s spin trio of Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz failed to make further inroads after the opening stand, with King surviving two dropped catches on his way to the match-winning knock.
His first reprieve came when Najmul Hossain Shanto dropped him at second slip off Shoriful Islam, with the chance also hurting the Bangladesh captain’s finger. King was dropped again on 71 after dancing down the track against Taijul, only for substitute fielder Ebadot Hossain to spill the chance at long-off.
Shoriful eventually provided Bangladesh with their first breakthrough, bowling Campbell for 49. Hasan Mahmud then dismissed Tagenarine Chanderpaul, caught at deep square leg off a bouncer. Those were the only two wickets Bangladesh managed in the chase.
Bangladesh had earlier been bowled out for 142 in their second innings, setting West Indies a target of 170. Resuming the fourth day at 79/6 with a 106-run lead, the hosts added 63 runs before losing their remaining four wickets.
Nayeem led the resistance with his maiden Test half-century, scoring 52 off 91 balls with four boundaries. He reached the milestone off 87 deliveries before falling to Roston Chase, with Joshua Bishop taking the catch at long-on.
Jaker Ali, playing as Mominul Haque’s concussion substitute, scored 22 off 34 balls, including two fours, in a 31-run stand with Nayeem. Jomel Warrican dismissed him, with Chase taking the catch at first slip. Hasan Mahmud made eight before falling lbw to Warrican, while Taijul Islam scored eight before being trapped lbw by Chase, who finished with five wickets.
Bangladesh had suffered a dramatic collapse on the third day, losing six wickets after reaching 28/3. Tanzid Hasan fell for a duck, Shadman Islam made 13 and Towhid Hridoy departed without scoring, all three falling to Chase. Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 10 before becoming Chase’s third victim, while Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz fell to Warrican.
West Indies had earlier been bowled out for 245 in reply to Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 272, giving the hosts a 27-run lead. Nayeem claimed four wickets, including his 50th Test scalp, while Mehidy and Taijul took two each. Shadman had scored a century in Bangladesh’s first innings.
