Shakib-al-Hasan leads Bangladesh
to first ever overseas series victory
ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada (AP) - Captain Shakib-al-Hasan hit an unbeaten 96 Monday to guide Bangladesh to its first overseas series win with a four-wicket victory over West Indies in the second test.
Shakib, who earlier completed a five-wicket haul with his left-arm spin, guided his team to its target of 217-6 late on day four.
The 22-year-old Shakib, in his first test as skipper, stroked 13 fours and ended the match with a six over long on. His innings spanned 97 balls and 162 minutes.
Shakib and right-hander Raqibul Hasan shared a match-winning partnership of 106, which revived Bangladesh from the peril of 67-4 midway through the day.
Medium pacer Darren Sammy led a spirited effort from the strike-weakened West Indies team with a haul of 5-55 and a brilliant catch.
"This is the best day for Bangladesh cricket," Shakib said after collecting the series trophy and the Man of the Match and Man of the Series awards. "This will boost our confidence and we hope to take it to the next level and go forward."
Shakib claimed 13 wickets in the series and also scored 159 runs.
"It was a good series for me, although I didn’t score in the first test. But I came good in the second test," he said. "The boys have been supporting me really well, all the coaching staff have been supporting me, so I don’t have any pressure."
Play was delayed more than two hours because of morning rain, but Bangladesh wrapped up the West Indies second innings for the addition of just 17 runs on resumption.
The home team, overnight 192-8, was bowled out for 209 just before lunch.
David Bernard Jr., overnight 61 not out, launched a six over straight long off but added just eight runs. The elegant right-hander was neatly stumped by wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim as he missed an on-drive at a big turner from Enamul Haque Jr., who ended with 3-48. The Jamaican hit six fours and two sixes in his topscore of 69 off 76 balls.
Tailender Tino Best himself lofted a six but fell two balls later as he gloved a paddle sweep at Shakib, who collected his fifth five-wicket haul in his 14th test.
Bangladesh openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes provided an opening partnership of 27 either side of lunch before West Indies dominated the second session.
Fast bowler Kemar Roach made the breakthrough as Imrul (8) slashed off the back foot and Sammy leapt high at second slip to haul in the catch.
Two runs later, Tamim departed as he nibbled at Sammy and provided a catch to wicket-keeper Chadwick Walton.
Raqibul and left-hander Junaid Siddique nervously added 20 for the third wicket before Sammy maintained the home team’s grip with two more wickets.
Siddique (5) played across the line and deflected low to Floyd Reifer at first slip at 49-3.
Mohammad Ashraful’s lean tour continued when he edged a fine leg-cutter to Walton at 67-4.
Raqibul and Shakib played a few streaky strokes early on in their innings before settling down to forge their match-winning stand.
They took tea at 103-4 and completely dominated after the break as the West Indies wilted in the bright sunshine.
Raqibul, who hit 44 in the first innings, brought up his maiden test half century off 74 balls with his seventh four.
Shakib soon followed with his landmark, off 72 deliveries, as he crunched three successive boundaries off first innings destroyer Roach.
Sammy kept West Indies’ fading hopes alive by claiming Raqibul to a juggled return catch at 173-5. The St. Lucian added the scalp of Mushfiqur Rahim in almost identical fashion at 201-6.
But Shakib was in no mood to endure any nervous moments and hurried his side to victory with two magnificent off-side boundaries and a big six off Roach.
Brief scores :
Bangladesh 232 (Rahim 48, Raqibul 44, Roach 6-48) and 217 for 6 (Shakib 96*, Raqibul 65, Sammy 5-55)
West Indies 237 (Dowlin 95, Richards 69) and 209 (Bernard 69, Shakib 5-70)