Sports
West Indies falls to Bangladesh in Test Series
BY: KAYLA KARIM
One of the most traditional forms of cricket, the Test Series was played at the beginning of December. The matches last up to 5 days and are the longest form of cricket games played with unlimited overs.
The Test Series began last week as the West Indies team visited India for the West Indies tour of Bangladesh. Bangladesh and the West Indies opened their matchup on November 21st, 2018 that continued until December 2nd.
The West Indies team didn’t have a strong start in the 1st test at the Sher-e-Bangala National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. They made just 111 runs in their first innings, the lowest Test score ever recorded against Bangladesh.
Taijul Islan led Bangladesh with a six-wicket gain beating the West Indies by 64 runs in the first Test in Chattogram. Shakib Al Hasan assisted taking the first two wickets making him the first from his country to 200 Test wickets.
The West Indies had a sluggish start but began the second session much more vigorously. Prior to the lunch break, Bangladesh dismissed four West Indies batsmen in 5.5 overs. Windies’ Shimron Hetmyer picked up from where he left off in the first innings and went after the spinners. He launched into Shakib with two fours and a six off consecutive balls in the first full over after lunch. Shane Dowrich made an unbeaten 63 in the first innings. Taijul Islam finished off the game with Sunil Ambris’s wicket.
The West Indies bowlers took charge on the opening day of the second Test. Their fielding was commendable as they were agile and accurate to support the tight bowling. Brathwaite reintroduced Devendra Bishoo and struck almost immediately bowling Mithun for 29. After two overs Bishoo taking out Shadman.
Shakib AL Hasan’s unbeaten half-century came late on day 1 of the second test and his 69-run partnership with Mahmudullah helped Bangladesh fight back in the final session after being 190/5.
West Indies started on the third day on 75/5 in the first innings responding to Bangladesh’s 508. Mehidy Hasan who recorded three wickets on the second day, sent Hetmyer caught and bowled for 39 and continued to dismiss Devendra Bishoo and Kemar Roach in the following two overs.
West Indies’ Shai hope and Simron Hetmyer showed some resistance in the second session as the pair added 56 runs for the fifth wicket. Hetmyer went on to score 93 off 92 balls with one four and nine sixes but could not reach the triple-digit mark.
Mehindy picked up his career-best match figured of 12/117 on Sunday, December 2nd. His impressive play in the first innings helped dismiss the West Indies team for 111 as he added 5/59 in the second where the Windies were held to 213 sweeping the Test series 2-0 in three days.
Shakib Al Hasan said in an interview that the Bangladesh team had a lot to prove after losing in July. This is the first time in over 8 years that Bangladesh has completed a Test Series against the West Indies. The last time Bangladesh won a Test Series against the West Indies was back in 2009 but failed to repeat history despite playing four home and abroad series, until now.
The West Indies will face Bangladesh next Tuesday, December 11th at Dhaka for the 2nd ODI.