ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Medium pacer Darren Sammy snatched a five-haul but a superb, unbeaten near run-a-ball 96 from captain Shakib Al Hasan fired Bangladesh to an emphatic four-wicket win over West Indies in the second Test yesterday.
Sammy knocked over the top order to finish with five for 55 and hand the Windies a lifeline at 67 for four but Shakib’s brazen innings ensured Bangladesh recovered to reach 217 for six and complete their second successive Test win inside four days at the National Stadium here.
The victory handed Bangladesh their first ever series win, following their 95-run win in the first Test at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex in St Vincent last week.
Set 215 to win after West Indies were dismissed for 209 all out in a morning session delayed by almost an hour and a half because of rain, Bangladesh were rocked by a three-wicket burst from Sammy that left them reeling at 67 for four.
But Shakib and Raqibul Hasan, who scored 65, combined in a fifth-wicket stand of 106 to dash the Windies hopes and put the Tigers on the brink of victory.
Sammy returned to prise out Raqibul and Mushfiqur Rahim (12) and create the possibility of a dramatic finish, but Shakib held firm to guide Bangladesh safely to their target.
Tamim Iqbal (18) and Imrul Kayes (8) started cautiously in search of their moderate target but were parted thanks to another piece of brilliance from Sammy.
With the score on 27, Imrul slashed fast bowler Kemar Roach into the cordon where Sammy leapt full stretch at second slip to haul in a brilliant catch.
Sammy then grabbed centre stage with his bowling, capturing the next three wickets in a disciplined spell that left the Tigers in disarray.
In his first over, he claimed opener Tamim Iqbal for eight, inducing a thin edge through to wicketkeeper Chadwick Walton, as the batsman probed uncertainly with the score on 29 for two.
Sammy then removed Junaid Siddique for five to a fine, low catch by captain Floyd Reifer at first slip as the Tigers tumbled to 49 for three and he completed a superb spell by prising out Mohammad Ashraful (5) to another catch at the wicket by Walton.
Tottering at 67 for four, Shakib and Raqibul came to their side’s aid, playing fluently and positively against the West Indies attack.
The left-handed Shakib faced 97 balls and stroked 13 fours and a six over long on which emphatically sealed the Tigers’ victory while Raqibul slammed eight fours and a six in his knock which required 99 balls.
They took Bangladesh to tea at 102 for four and marched on gallantly after the interval, frustrating the Windies attack and forcing Reifer to wring the changes.
It was Sammy, however, who broke the partnership. Recalled for another spell, Sammy had the right-handed Raqibul caught and bowled at 173 for five in his first over to raise the Windies hopes yet again.
A 28-run, sixth-wicket stand between Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim (12) thwarted the Windies attempts at making quick inroads into the lower order but Sammy again came up trumps when he had Mushfiqur caught and bowled with Bangladesh 14 runs away from victory.
There was to be no more fireworks, however, as Bangladesh marched robustly to their target.
Earlier, Bangladesh needed just 33 balls to wrap up the West Indies innings after the hosts resumed at their overnight 192 for eight.
David Bernard Jr, not out on 61 overnight, added just eight runs before perishing at 201 for nine, stumped off left-arm spinner Enamul Haque.
Only two balls earlier, he had lifted Enamul Haque over long-off for his second six before being deceived. He faced 76 balls and also struck six fours.
Tino Best then added precious runs, lofting left-arm spinner Shakib over long on for six before gloving a catch down the leg-side off the same bowler two deliveries later.
Shakib finished with five for 70 while Enamul Haque Jr claimed three for 48.
