Roaring Tigers crush West Indies to record epic victory
Photo - BCB
|| CF Correspondent ||
Shakib Al Hasan fueled his players by giving back what they received in the West Indies tour in last July. His motivational speech stirred the players to such extent that it turned out to be sheer ruthlessness, culminating to Bangladesh’s biggest ever victory – and innings and 184 runs – in the second and final Test to complete a whitewash.
Bangladesh were craving for it ever since West Indies demolished Bangladesh in a lush green track in Caribbean Islan. In return, Bangladesh played to their strength, preparing a rage turner and employed a hungry spin-quartet for two matches in a row for the first time in the cricket history.
While debutant Nayeem Hasan and experienced Taijul Islam turned the table to record a 64-run victory, aided by Mehidy Hasan Miraj and skipper Shakib Al Hasan in the first Test, the second Test is all about of off-spinner Mehidy.
Mehidy finished with match haul of 12-117, the best figure by a Bangladeshi bowler to lead the charge. He indeed eclipsed his previous best of 12 for 159 that came against England in his debut series in 2016, to spin his side to their first ever victory by innings margin at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday. By doing so, Mehidy became the second Bangladeshi bowler after Shakib Al Hasan to take more than 10 wickets in a Test match twice.
This was Bangladesh’s first ever victory by an innings margin against any opposition in their 112 Tests.
Bangladesh compiled 508 in their first innings, in which all of their batsmen reached double digit figures for the first time and 14th overall in Test cricket’s 141-year history.
Mahmudullah Riyad hit his career best 136 to rally the side complemented by three half-centuries from skipper Shakib Al Hasan (80), opener Shadman Islam (76) and Liton Das (54) after which the spinners took the charge.
Mehidy recorded his career best bowling figure in an innings, claiming 7-58 to skittle West Indies for 111 in the first innings after the tourists resumed the day three on 75-5.
With 397-run lead, Shakib Al Hasan had no hesitation in enforcing the follow-on and it was the first time that Bangladesh did so against any team, having reluctant to do it on two previous occasions earlier—both against Zimbabwe.
It proved to be right decision as Bangladesh’s spin quartet continued exposing West Indies’ vulnerability against the quality spin in a pitch that offered turn and variable bounce aplenty. The tourists were dismissed for 213 in the second innings.
Skipper Shakib made the breakthrough yet again in the first over, dismissing Kraigg Brathwaite (1) leg-before wicket. Fresh from his career best bowling, Mehidy Hasan who scalped 5-59 in the second innings, had Keiran Powell (6) stumped to keep Bangladesh on track on sweeping the series.
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam then struck twice in consecutive overs to dismiss Sunil Ambris (4) and Roston Chase (3), with the tourists at 29-4.
Shai Hope (25) and Shimron Hetmyer resisted with 56-run before Mehidy had Hope caught by Shakib at short midwicket. Amid Hetmyer’s free-flowing batting, Bangladesh spinners kept striking at regular interval with Mehidy to the fore.
Hetmyer however smashed nine sixes and one four in a show of clean hitting in his career best 92 ball-93 before one mishit against the bowling of Mehidy cost his wicket. To be noted, Hetmyer’s lone boundary came after he smacked eight sixes, most of which came against Taijul.
Mehidy then completed his second five-for in the match and seventh in his just 18 Tests, dismissing Joeml Warrican. The last wicket pair of Kemar Roach (37 not out) and Shermon Lewis (20) delayed the inevitable forcing an extended tea session, sharing 42-run, before Taijul dismissed Lewis, who reviewed the leg-before decision in vain.
Taijul Islam who got just one over to bowl in the first innings, took three for 40 in 10.2 overs in the second innings.
Mehidy was adjudged man of the match for his landmark effort while Shakib Al Hasan (114 runs and nine wickets in the series) was the man of the series for his contribution in both batting and bowling.
