WI vs BAN: Bangladesh slip to last in WTC table after 201-run loss in Antigua Test

West Indies (WI) vs Bangladesh (BAN). 1st Test: West Indies hammered Bangladesh by 201 runs in the series opener in Antigua. With their 8th defea in 11 matches in this cycle, Bangladesh slipped to the last spot in the World Test Championship standings.

In Short

• West Indies hammered Bangladesh by 201 runs in the first Test in Antigua
• Bangladesh lost their 8th match out of 11 in the ongoing Test Championship cycle
• Taskin Ahmed’s career-best figures of 6 for 64 went in vain

Bangladesh slipped to the bottom of the World Test Championship points table after losing the first of their two-Test series in the West Indies on Tuesday, November 26. Bangladesh were hammered by 201 runs on Day 5 of the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

Bangladesh showed signs of a revival in Test cricket when they stunned Pakistan 2-0 in a series in Pakistan earlier this year. Ever since, they have been handed one-sided defeats. Bangladesh lost 0-2 to India away from home while a touring South African side hammered them 2-0 last month. | FULL SCORECARD |

In Antigua, the West Indies laid the groundwork for their triumph with a formidable first-innings total of 450 for 9 declared, thanks to a solid hundred from Justin Greaves. Bangladesh, in response, managed only 269 for 9 declared, leaving themselves with a significant deficit. Despite a less convincing second innings, where the West Indies were bowled out for 152, they retained a substantial lead.

Taskin Ahmed’s career-best figures of 6 for 64 wreaked havoc on the West Indies' batting order. Alick Athanaze top-scored with a gritty 42, while captain Kraigg Brathwaite chipped in with 23. Contributions from Joshua Da Silva (22) and Alzarri Joseph (17) proved crucial in extending the lead.

Set a challenging target of 334 runs, Bangladesh faced an uphill task from the outset. Their second innings started disastrously, with both openers falling cheaply. Zakir Hasan inside-edged Kemar Roach onto his stumps, while Mahmudul Hasan Joy edged Jayden Seales to third slip. Roach continued his impressive spell, setting up Shahadat Hossain with a series of deliveries that seamed away before producing a vicious inswinger that grazed the glove and was caught by Joshua Da Silva.

SEALES AND ROACH DECIMATE BANGLADESH

Bangladesh’s batting line-up continued to crumble under relentless pressure. Shamarh Brooks, though unlucky not to claim wickets, endured a frustrating spell with several dropped catches, including two off Mominul Haque in the same over. However, Roach and Seales remained relentless. Roach dismissed Mominul with a sharp return catch, while Seales had Litton Das mistime a pull shot to fine leg for 22, reducing Bangladesh to 59 for 5.

By the end of day four, Bangladesh were teetering at 109 for 7, still needing an improbable 225 runs to win. Roach and Seales were the chief architects of the collapse, sharing six wickets between them—Roach with 3 for 20 and Seales with 3 for 31. Mehidy Hasan Miraz provided some resistance with a defiant 45, but the writing was on the wall for Bangladesh.

The West Indies wasted no time on the final day, swiftly claiming the remaining three wickets to seal a comprehensive victory. Roach and Seales were pivotal, exposing Bangladesh’s fragile batting and ensuring the visitors never looked capable of mounting a serious challenge.

Bangladesh will be hoping to regroup and end their year with a win in Tests when they take on the West Indies in the series finale, starting November 30 in Jamaica.