Ian Bishop’s prediction was spot on. The legendary commentator had anticipated that spinners would play a decisive role in the fourth innings at Kingston, and that’s exactly what happened.
Taijul Islam dismantled the West Indies batting lineup in the fourth innings, claiming five wickets and securing a massive 101-run victory for Bangladesh. It was a crucial performance at the right moment, and Taijul couldn’t hide his satisfaction. Praising his team’s bowling attack, he expressed his joy at contributing to such an important win.
This victory in Kingston holds special significance. It marks Bangladesh’s first Test win in the West Indies since 2009 and serves as a strong comeback after their 201-run loss in the first Test. The win also comes at a time when Bangladesh needed it the most, following four consecutive defeats in Test matches against India and South Africa. Every player contributed in their way, but Taijul’s decisive spell in the fourth innings tipped the match firmly in Bangladesh’s favor.
Taijul dismissed key players like Kraigg Brathwaite, Mikhail Louis, Kavem Hodge, Alick Athanaze, and Joshua Da Silva—taking down the spine of the West Indies batting order. This five-wicket haul was the 15th of his Test career, and Taijul was delighted to fulfill the team’s expectations.
In a post-match video message, Taijul said, “I’m satisfied with my bowling. Alhamdulillah, I was able to meet the team’s expectations. When I came on to bowl in the fourth innings, the team had high hopes from me, and I’m grateful that I could deliver. It feels really good.”
Taijul, who was named Player of the Match, also praised the entire bowling unit. He added, “This victory came in unfamiliar conditions. Everyone gave their best, and the boys were determined to win. Our current pace and spin attack is performing very well. Everyone is in good rhythm, and we can compete against any batting lineup.”
While Taijul shone with the ball, Zakir Ali stole the spotlight with the bat, scoring a brilliant 91. The wicketkeeper-batter handled West Indies’ four pacers skillfully, even though their lineup lacked a specialist spinner, making Zakir’s innings the second-highest individual score for Bangladesh in Tests.
This match highlighted Bangladesh’s resilience and adaptability, proving that they can triumph in challenging conditions and against formidable opponents.
