Bangladesh capped off 2024 with an emphatic victory, defeating the West Indies in their home territory for the first time in 15 years. The 101-run triumph in the second Test levelled the two-match series and marked Bangladesh’s third overseas Test win of the year, following their landmark 2-0 series triumph over Pakistan. This memorable achievement was powered by a mix of determination, bold strategies, and stellar individual performances.
Taijul Islam’s outstanding 5-50 spell on the fourth day dismantled the West Indies’ batting lineup, restricting them to 185 runs. His efforts built on Nahid Rana’s five-wicket haul in the first innings, which had given Bangladesh a slim lead despite their underwhelming batting performance. The team’s counterattacking approach in the second innings, led by Shadman Islam, Mehidy Hasan, and Jaker Ali, proved pivotal. Shahadat Hossain also stepped up to bat at No. 3 due to Mominul Haque’s illness, playing an important cameo of 28 runs.
Mehidy Hasan, standing in as captain for the injured Najmul Hossain, shared insights into the team's strategy after the match. He revealed he encouraged the batters to adopt an aggressive mindset, knowing the challenging pitch required a positive approach. Mehidy highlighted that setting a target of over 250 runs was crucial for sealing the win. He also credited Shahadat for stepping into an unfamiliar role with confidence, adding that his own contributions at No. 4 followed the same proactive philosophy.
Reflecting on the win, Mehidy expressed pride in the team’s effort, noting that the players executed his suggestions and demonstrated resilience in challenging conditions.
"This is a big win for the Bangladesh team because there were some young players and some guys were there who have been playing for 8-10 years. But most of the players were young and there was good communication in place. Everyone had that urge that we will win the game and Alhamdulillah that we could win the game and the effort everyone gave was unbelievable," he said.
Taijul, who removed key players like Kraigg Brathwaite and Kavem Hodge, was satisfied with his performance, saying he felt the weight of expectations but was glad to deliver for the team. He also praised the young squad's unity and commitment, pinpointing their remarkable effort in securing the win.
Taskin Ahmed, who shared the Player of the Series award with Jayden Seales after taking 11 wickets across two Tests, described the series draw as a major milestone. He noted that many top teams have struggled to perform in the West Indies, and this achievement reflected Bangladesh’s progress. Taskin, who had previously stepped back from Test cricket due to a shoulder injury, expressed joy at returning to the format and contributing to the team’s success.
"This is a big achievement as we have drawn the Test series because in their own condition a lot of big teams struggled against them," Taskin said.
This series-ending victory also brought relief to Bangladesh after a tough period, including a string of five consecutive Test losses.
Taskin expressed hope for continued improvement, saying, "In both the games I tried to give my best level and was rewarded with the man of the series, but hopefully there's more to come."
Bangladesh’s performance in the West Indies not only ended the year on a high note but also showcased their growing strength in Test cricket, setting the stage for an even brighter future.