Bangladesh Stun West Indies by 95 runs

Bangladesh celebrate only their second win in Tests after beating West Indies by 95 runs in Kingstown

Kingstown: Bangladesh claimed just their second ever Test victory with a 95-run win over a makeshift West Indies side in the first Test on Monday.
 
Debutant off-spinner Mohammed Mahmudullah did the damage with figures of five for 50 as West Indies collapsed to 181 all out with just over 40 minutes of play remaining.

Bangladesh's only previous victory came at home to Zimbabwe in 2005 and although this one was achieved against a West Indies side without any of their leading players, their first win overseas was a cause for celebration.

"It means a lot to us, we are very happy," said opening batsman Tamim Iqbal, whose second-innings century laid the foundations for victory.

The Tigers' second win came in their 60th Test since becoming a full Test-playing nation nine years ago.

West Indies fielded seven debutants in their hastily-assembled squad following the decision by the 13 selected players not to take part as a protest over contractual and payment issues.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has vowed to stick with the makeshift squad but the defeat will increase pressure for a settlement before the second Test starts in Grenada on Friday.

"You'll have to ask the chairman about that one," said Floyd Reifer, the 36-year-old stand-in skipper who was playing in his first Test in 10 years.

"It is disappointing to lose but I think the guys, brought here the night before a Test, fought well," said Reifer.

West Indies started the day well, removing the last five Bangladesh batsmen for just 24 runs to set up a realistic target of 277 runs for victory.

But the Caribbean side were in trouble before lunch, losing both opening batsmen.

Dale Richards was dismissed in amateurish fashion, hit on the pads and waiting for an lbw appeal to be answered when he strolled out of his crease and was run out.

Omar Phillips, who made a debut century in his first innings, was trapped lbw by the left-arm spin of Shakib Al Hasan to leave West Indies at 33 for two.

Then came the twin spin attack of Mahmudullah and slow left-armer Shakib Al Hasan and West Indies simply could not cope with the turn.

Mahmudullah claimed the wickets of Travis Dowlin, Reifer, wicketkeeper Chadwick Walton and tailender Kemar Roach.

Al Hasan also caused problems and picked up the vital wicket of Darren Sammy when the all-rounder wildly slashed the ball to Shahadat Hossain at point.

Dave Bernard, the only player to have featured in the West Indies side in the recent ODI series against India, battled bravely for his second half-century of the match but he was left stranded on 52 when Al Hasan picked up his third wicket by trapping Tino Best lbw to clinch victory.

Brief Score: Bangladesh 238 (Mortaza 39, Roach 3-46) and 345 (Tamim 128, Sammy 5-70) beat West Indies 307 (Phillips 94, Bernard 53, Mahmudullah 3-59) and 181 (Bernard 52, Mahmudullah 5-51, Shakib 3-39) by 95 runs.