WI VS BAN 1ST TEST

Right then, that is it from the first Test where West Indies took a 1-0 lead with a commanding effort over Bangladesh. The Windies will want to seal the series while the Tigers will hope they can roar back and finish on level terms. The 2nd Test will be played at the Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica. The first day is scheduled for 30th November, Saturday at 3 pm GMT, but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Kraigg Brathwaite, the victorious skipper of West Indies says that there has been a lot of learning over time, especially from the series against England and it is good to see the improvements and they will only look to build from here on. Adds that they have quality fast bowlers and with Justin in the squad it adds more depth and with different skill sets it is a great sign for the team. Mentions that the talk to the boys will be to stay focused, put this game behind and keep improving and growing in confidence. Concludes by thanking the fans for the support they showed.

Mehidy Hasan, the captain of Bangladesh says that they bowled really well in this game but batting was not up to the mark. Praises Taskin Ahmed for his maiden Test fifer. Adds that they made a few mistakes in this match and hopes that they can learn from them and come back stronger in the next one. Mentions that they have a great pace unit of Taskin, Hasan Mahmud, and Nahid Rana who have done well in the last few years, and in the spin department, Taijul Islam has performed well too. Ends by saying that they will need to focus on the areas to improve and will want to execute the plans better in the next match.

Justin Greaves is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his fantastic unbeaten ton and 2 wickets. He says contributing to the team in a winning cause is a special feeling. Mentions that he had a plan on how to bat with the rest of the unit and he is glad to have contributed. Adds that Kraigg Brathwaite backs him a lot and lets him express himself freely which is a big plus and he believes in himself to keep going.

Presentation Time...

The entire pace unit of the West Indies is down for a chat. Kemar Roach starts and says he is very proud of the group they have and with Justin coming in with his skills it makes it stronger. Alzarri Joseph mentions that they as a group try and help each other and they have a healthy challenge among each other too. Jayden Seales adds that they are well-complimented by the pace of Alzarri and Sharmar while the rest three try and pile on the pressure. Justin Greaves mentions his role in this group and says they expect him to just keep things tight and hold the tight line. Shamar Joseph says that it is a great experience to be a part of this group and he has watched Kemar and Alzarri when he hadn't even thought of playing cricket and has been welcomed really nicely into the side and gets to learn a lot. Kemar concludes that the fans can expect them to come back with the same intensity and do it all over again in the next game.

Bangladesh’s bold overnight declaration turned the game on its head, as their bowlers, led by a fiery Taskin Ahmed, dismantled the Windies for just 152, setting up a thrilling chase of 334. Taskin was unplayable, claiming a sensational maiden five-wicket haul and finishing with 6 scalps, while Mehidy Hasan chipped in with crucial breakthroughs. A stunning collapse saw the hosts lose 7 wickets for just 63 runs, giving the Tigers a real shot at glory. But the chase began disastrously - Kemar Roach’s relentless pace rocked the top order, and with Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph joining the onslaught, Bangladesh were left reeling at 59/5. Skipper Mehidy fought valiantly with a gritty 45, but his dismissal late in the day, coupled with another strike, left Bangladesh on the brink, needing a miracle to pull off a historic win.

Bangladesh showed incredible resilience, battling hard against a fiery Windies attack despite early setbacks. Kemar Roach’s breakthrough and Alzarri Joseph’s fiery spells tested their mettle, but Mominul Haque’s gritty fifty and Litton Das’s intent-filled 76-ball knock kept the visitors in the fight. After their dismissals, skipper Mehidy Hasan and Jaker Ali absorbed relentless pressure, forging a vital 50-plus stand. Ali’s spirited half-century and Taijul Islam’s support guided Bangladesh past the follow-on mark, with some luck as the Windies missed chances. Even as Justin Greaves struck late and grabbed his best Test figures, Bangladesh clung on under fading light, setting up a thrilling Day 4 in this gripping contest!

Bangladesh began with fire on Day 2, as Hasan Mahmud struck twice in quick succession, igniting hopes of restricting the Windies under 300. But Justin Greaves was the star of the day, crafting a magnificent maiden Test century in a defiant 140-run stand with Kemar Roach, whose valiant 47 frustrated the visitors. Taskin Ahmed’s missed chance proved costly, as the Windies piled on the runs. Late fireworks from Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph propelled the hosts to a commanding declaration at 450/9, with Greaves unbeaten on a glorious 115. In reply, Bangladesh’s openers faced hostile spells, with Zakir Hasan and Mahmudul Hasan Joy falling to fiery deliveries from Seales and Alzarri Joseph. Under immense pressure, Shahadat Hossain and Mominul Haque showed remarkable resilience, battling through to Stumps to keep Bangladesh’s hopes alive in this high-stakes clash!

Bangladesh’s decision to bowl first paid early dividends as their pacers, led by Taskin Ahmed, broke through with vital strikes to dismiss Kraigg Brathwaite and Keacy Carty. However, the day belonged to the resilient Mikyle Louis, whose gritty 90 anchored the West Indies' fightback. Louis, alongside Kavem Hodge and later Alick Athanaze, steadied the innings with crucial partnerships, countering Bangladesh’s relentless attack. Despite a nerve-wracking fall in the 90s for both set batters, Joshua Da Silva and Justin Greaves launched a spirited late assault, blunting the second new ball to take the hosts to stumps in control.

The final day began with Bangladesh facing an uphill battle, needing a miracle, while the West Indies were just three wickets away. Alzarri Joseph wasted no time, dismissing Hasan Mahmud early before removing Jaker Ali, the last recognized batter. Moments later, a fiery bouncer struck Shoriful Islam on the neck, forcing him to retire hurt, sealing an emphatic 201-run victory for the Windies. Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales were instrumental on Day 4 dismantling the Bangladeshi batting line-up, sharing 6 wickets equally while Shamar Joseph chipped in with one. For Bangladesh's batting point of view, Mehidy Hasan, Mominul Haque, and Jaker Ali were the only ones who looked up to the task, but they still have a lot of work to do to challenge quality teams in this format.

West Indies have secured a wonderful Test victory, taking a 1-0 lead in the series! This is also their 7th consecutive Test win over Bangladesh at home showing their dominance over them. Their performance throughout the game was commanding, and this win is well-deserved. While Bangladesh displayed glimpses of resilience and determination, their batting woes once again proved to be their undoing.

Oh dear, a direct hit would have wrapped the game! On a length, outside off, Taskin Ahmed looks to force it through the off side but misses. Shoriful Islam sets off for the run while Joshua Da Silva collects the ball and has a shy at the stumps at the batting end but misses. A bye taken and more importantly it will be Taskin Ahmed on strike for the next over!

Full and outside off, Taskin Ahmed makes room but the ball goes well wide of his reach to offer any shot. Lets it go past!

Back of a length, over middle, Taskin Ahmed sways away from the firing line.

Short and on middle, Shoriful Islam pulls it over mid-wicket for a single.

Skiddy! On a hard length, angling away, outside off. The ball keeps low and skids through off the deck. Shoriful Islam looks for a swipe across the line but the lack of bounce clips his bat on the inside edge.

Full and on off, Taskin Ahmed slices it off the toe end to deep point and gets a single.