Mirpur, 31 October (H.S.): West Indies produced an impressive all-round performance to defeat Bangladesh by eight wickets on the fourth day of the first Test on Saturday, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match ICC World Test Championship series. Chasing a target of 170, the visitors secured victory with two wickets down, courtesy of an aggressive batting display by John Campbell and Brandon King. King remained unbeaten on 81, while Kavem Hodge provided valuable support with an unbeaten 31. Campbell contributed 49 runs.

The result also brought changes to the World Test Championship standings. Bangladesh slipped one place to fifth with 47.62 percentage points, while India moved up to fourth with 51.52 percentage points.

Bangladesh resumed their second innings on the fourth day at 79 for six. West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican further compounded the hosts’ troubles by dismissing Jaker Ali, who edged the delivery to Roston Chase at slip. Nayeem Hasan offered some resistance with a fighting 52, but the West Indies spinners continued to maintain pressure on the Bangladesh batting line-up.

Roston Chase led the bowling attack with five wickets for 36 runs, registering his fifth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 142 in their second innings, setting West Indies a target of 170 runs for victory.

In response, Bangladesh opened the bowling with their two spinners, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam. However, West Indies openers Campbell and King adopted an attacking approach, scoring freely and taking their team past the 50-run mark in quick time.

Rain interrupted play on several occasions, but the two batters maintained the scoring momentum whenever the action resumed.

Campbell received a reprieve in the 19th over when Najmul Hossain Shanto dropped a catch. Shanto, however, had to leave the field shortly afterwards after sustaining a thumb injury. Bangladesh eventually made the breakthrough when Shoriful Islam bowled Campbell for 49, with West Indies on 112.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul was dismissed soon afterwards, briefly giving Bangladesh another opportunity to fight back. However, King and Hodge ensured there were no further setbacks, guiding West Indies to a comfortable eight-wicket victory.

King remained unbeaten on 81, anchoring the successful chase with an assured performance.

The second and final Test of the series will begin on November 5 in Sylhet.

Brief Scores: Bangladesh 272 and 142 (Nayeem Hasan 52; Roston Chase 5/36) lost to West Indies 245 and 170/2 (Brandon King 81 not out, John Campbell 49, Kavem Hodge 31 not out) by eight wickets.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar