Taijul snatches victory for Tigers

A five-wicket haul by Taijul Islam followed by ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan’s record feat saw Bangladesh to take 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series beating visiting West Indies by 64 runs in the first Test held on Saturday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan took him in a new height as he become the first player of Bangladesh to take 200 Test wicket also the fastest to complete the double of 3000 triggered the West Indies collapse along with Taijul Islam in the spin paradise wicket while The Caribbean were chasing a winning target of 204-run set by Bangladesh, reports BSS.

Visiting West Indies are in deep trouble when they lost their top four wickets inside 11 runs at in the first session of on the third day. Bangladesh spinner had their final say in a spinning-favored wicket as the the match ended in less than three days.

Shakib launched early inroad on West Indies innings sending back to opener Kieran Powell, who backed to the pavilion without disturbing the scoreboard. He then picked up the second wicket on the day dismissing Shai Hope who was caught behind by Mushfiqur Rahim.

Taijul Islam also struck on West Indies innings picking up two wickets in the same over.West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite and Roston Chase both trapped leg before wicket to Taijul islam, leaving West Indies in a deep trouble.

West Indies lost Shimron Hetmyer (27) when Mehidy Hasan struck again after the post lunch session.

Taijul Islam joined the party picking up the wickets of Roston Chase, Devendra Bishoo, Shane Dowrich and Kemar Roach to complete his six wickets haul.

The Sunil Ambris (43), Jomel Warrican (41) and Shimron Hetmyer (27) were the only three West Indies batsmen who able to reach the double figure in the face of tight bowling display by the Tigers’ bowlers especially Taijul Islam.

Apart from Taijul Islam’s six wickets haul for 33 runs, Mehidy Hasan and Shakib Al Hasan shared two West Indies’s wickets conceding 27 and 30 runs respectively.

Mominul Haque of Bangladesh was named the player of the match for hisa impressive batting performance. Earlier, Bangladesh resumed their second innings on the third day with overnight score at 55 for 5 and finally dismissed their second innings at 125 setting 204 runs winning target for West Indies.

Shannon Gabriel struck early on Bangladesh innings removing Mushfiqur Rahim (19) making him a clean bowled.

Mehidy Hasan (18) however added 37 runs for seventh wicket stand with Maumudullah to take the team past to hundred runs landmark before he fall to Devendra Bishoo.

After the departure of Mehidy Hasan, wickets fall like nine pin balls as Bangladesh lost their last four wickets in just 19 runs with Mahmudullah was thelast man to go for 31.

Devendra Bishoo was the pick of West Indies bowlers taking four Bangladesh wickets conceding 26 runs. He was well supported by Roston Chase who claimed three wickets giving away 18 runs.

Besides, Jomel Warrican bagged two wickets for 43 runs.

Brief score:

Bangladesh 1st innings – 324 for all, Mominul 120, Kayes 44, Shakib 34, Taijul 39 n.o, Naeem 26, Mehidy 22, Mithun 20, Jomel Warrican 2/62 and Shannon Gabriel 4/70.

2nd innings – 125 for all , Mahmudullah 31, Mushfiqur 19, Mehidy 18, Mithun 17, Soumya 11, Bishoo 4/26 and Roston Chase 3/18 and Jomel Warrican 2/43.

West Indies 1st innings – 246 for all, Hetmyer 63, Dowrich 63, Roston 31, Sunil 19, Powell 14, Nayeem 5/61, Shakib 3/43.

2nd innings – 139 for all, Ambris 43, Warrican 41 , Hetmyer 27, Taijul 6/33 Mehidy 2/27 and Shakib 2/30.