Tigers were whitewashed by Windies

Rakheem Cornwall emerged an unlikely star as West Indies pulled off a thrilling 17-run win over Bangladesh on the fourth day of the series-deciding second and last Test of the two-Test series at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

By virtue of winning the Test, the Caribbean side completed a whitewash (2-0) after scripting an improbable three-wicket victory in the opener in Chattogram courtesy of debutant batsman Kyle Mayers’ jaw-dropping and record-making double hundred.

This was the fourth whitewash West Indies inflicted on a home team, the last three of which had been in Bangladesh. Before that, they had blanked England in a five-Test series in 1984. On the other hand, it’s Bangladesh’s first whitewash at home since West Indies blanked them 0-2 in 2012-13 (in a series of two or more matches).

However, it was Bangladesh’s 15th whitewash in a series of two or more matches- eight more than any other team. Zimbabwe suffered 7 whitewashes in their own turf.

Bangladesh’s disappointing batting approach also cost them the Test. Chasing 231 was never going to be easy on a fourth-innings track at the Home of Cricket but a little bit more from their experienced batsmen could have taken them over the line.

Initially it’s thought that the chase would be easy when Tamim was going for great guns. But the game turned on its head as wickets kept tumbling one after the other. Kraigg Brathwaite provided the first breakthrough to them when he removed Soumya for 13.

Just 11 runs later, Brathwaite was accountable for Tamim, who brought up his 28th Test half century. Nazmul Hossain Shanto increased Tigers’ batting collapse when the home side mislaid a couple of wickets including Shanto after Tamim, who clobbered nine boundaries in his 68-minute stay at wickets.

Except Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who battled and tried to do the near impossible after Bangladesh looked down and out. Miraz’s 56-ball 31 laced with two maximums and three boundaries that gave a slim hope of winning the Test.

Rakheem Cornwall grabbed 9 wickets (4-105 and 5-74) and overall 14 wickets to his name in the two-Test series. The 28-year-old Cornwall whose weight 140kg took three important catches of Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque and Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the cordon including the winning moment and adjudged man of the match.

Earlier, Bangladesh’s spinners successfully put brakes over West Indies’ batters, who were able to manage to add 76 to their overnight 41-3 that gave them a 230-run lead. Pacer Abu Jayed Rahi provided the breakthrough to Bangladesh with his double strikes when he sent Jomel Warrican and Kyle Mayers back in the space of 12, while the visitors were tattering at 62-5.

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam compounded the Carirbbean side’s batting woes when he got rid of Jermaine Blackwood.

Together with keeper-batsman Joshua Da Silva, Nkrumah Bonner made a gritty resistance and formed a useful 31 for the seventh-wicket partnership that crossed the 100-run mark before Taijul extended his wicket tally to three. Later he claimed the wicket of Alzarri Joseph and finished his bowling with the figures of 4-36.

Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan put the nail into the Caribbean side with his double strikes when he broke Bonner’s resistance before the exit of Rakheem Cornawall. Finally Nayeem grabbed three wickets for 34, while Abu Jayed Rahi took a brace for the local side.

Buoyed by Chattogram Test, West Indies compiled a healthy 409 in their first innings with the help of Joshua Da Silva (92), Nkrumah Bonner (90) and Alzarri Joseph (86) after which Bangladesh were able to put on 296 largely thanks to half-centuries from Liton Kumar Das (74), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (57) and Mushfiqur Rahim (54).

Stand-in skipper Kraigg Brathwaite, “I would say this is a team effort. The One day team didn't do well. But we had some plans and came on top. I know my skill with the ball. We just wanted to keep it tight. Coming over here with all the protocols in place, it is huge. We’re very thankful for this opportunity.”

“I’m very proud of the boys. It means everything back home. The fans will be proud. We just stuck to our plans and proved them wrong. I know what Mayers can give us. I’ve known him since primary school. Moseley will also give us runs soon.”

Tigers skipper Mominul Haque said, “When you lose, it is always disappointing. We did have some positives. Mehidy was exceptional with the bat and the ball. Taijul bowled really well. Tamim and Mushfiqur got fifties as well.”

“When Tamim was batting, we thought we would easily win it. But we lost wickets in the middle period and then Mehidy tried hard but fell short. Shakib gives us two options. So, one player wouldn't have been able to fill his big boots.”

“Actually the conditions are similar. The only difference might be that it keeps a little lower here. I talked to senior guys and they told me to occupy the crease for as long as I could. I took my time in the middle and remained patient,” said Nkrumah Bonner, who was named man of the series.

“It’s a good performance. The whole team had great energy from day 1. The team management backed us as well. Once the conditions allow you to spin it, I backed myself to spin it,” Man of the Match Rahkeem Cornwall said.

“You need to be patient and bowl consistently. I practice hard in the mornings with my slip catching. I just back myself that when the ball comes to me, I’ll catch it.”