West Indies beat Bangladesh by a whopping 201 runs in the first Test of the two-match series. The first game took place at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua. The Bangladeshis’ fall since they defeated Pakistan 2-0 in a series away from home earlier this year has been disheartening. Their supporters will be disappointed with how their team has performed.
In this match, the Windies were in control of the game and rarely allowed their opponents to capitalise on chances created by them. The Windies did not allow Bangladesh to fall back upon their strengths. They also cut out all opportunities that would have allowed them to put up a strong showing. They were clearly the better side on display in this match.
The hosts batted first and declared their score at an impressive 450-9 in 144.1 overs. Justin Greaves top-scored for the West Indies with 115, while opener Mikyle Louis starred with 97 and Alick Athanaze with 90. The latter duo were unfortunate to miss out on well-deserved centuries. Yet, it took some time for the Bangladesh bowlers to get used to the hiding the Windies batters were subjected to.
Fast bowler Kemar Roach, not usually known for his batting prowess, also swatted a 144-ball 47 towards the deep end of the innings. This made matters even worse for the Bangladeshis. Bangladesh’s Hasan Mahmud was the highest wicket-taker with a spell of 3-87, while Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz returned with two wickets apiece.
Bangladesh’s reply lasted 98 overs before they declared their innings closed at 269-9. Seamer Alzarri Joseph was the pick of the Windies bowlers, returning figures of 3-69, while only Jaker Ali (53) and Mominul Haque (50) showed some semblance of a fight for the batters.
Wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das (40) got a start but was bowled by Shamar Joseph, who Lucknow Super Giants have purchased in the Indian Premier League for INR 75 lakh. Skipper Miraz, too, battled it out for a 67-ball 23 but could not convert his start into a big score. Greaves and Jayden Seales picked up a couple of wickets to help Joseph in the West Indies’ bowling department.
In the second innings, the West Indies were bowled out for a paltry score of 152 in 46.1 overs, signalling some intent of a fightback from the Bangladeshis. Seamer Taskin ran through the Windies’ batting order and picked up 6-64.
Athanaze top-scored for the hosts with a 63-ball 42. However, it appeared that all the other batters in the side had given up on the cause and were banking, instead, on the big first-innings lead. The next highest scorer for the West Indies was captain Kraigg Brathwaite, with 23. Bangladesh were set a total of 334 to chase in the fourth innings of this game, which seemed quite improbable at the beginning.
Soon, the Bangla Tigers floundered and were bowled out for 132 to hand the host a massive win by 201 runs. Skipper Miraz struck a 46-ball 45, but there was little fightback from the other Bangladeshi batters. Roach, Seales, and Joseph shared three wickets, three and two, respectively. Bangladesh will be immensely disappointed with this performance and hope they do not carry the same form into the second Test. The next game starts in Jamaica on November 30. With this victory, the hosts have taken an unsurpassable 1-0 lead in the series.
