In many ways it would have been nice to have been commemorating Bangladesh's record innings score with a memorable win against the West Indies. However, the home team showed again why they can't quite make that transition to the elite of the elite.
That they came remotely close to a first Test victory since beating a weakened Windies three years ago is itself remarkable given the visitors' dominance of the first two days. Chris Gayle gave debutant Sohag Gazi a dreadful drubbing in his first over, including a first ball six, before the 21 year-old snared the big man a few overs later. Kieran Powell reached his third Test hundred, then Shiv Chanderpaul and Denesh Ramdin shared an unbeaten 296-run stand, with the former equalling his best score in Test cricket (203 not out) before his cpatain declared on 527-4 declared.
No massive scores in reply but Bangladesh batted almost all the way down the order to achieve a record total of 556 all out. Naeem Islam was the only centurion but Nasir Hossain came mighty close, thumping four sixes in his 96. West Indies also fielded a debutant, spinner Veerasammy Permaul, whose only wicket in this innings was that of the Bangladesh skipper.
A 29-run lead in three days set the scene for an interesting finale, although a draw looked the more likely result. Gayle departed early again but his fellow opener Powell again compensated, striking a second hundred with support from Darren Bravo. With Chanderpaul injured, Sohag Gazi claimed an excellent 6-74 leaving his side an eminently reachable target of 245 in about 70 overs. Unfortunately, the skill and inspiration of the first innings deserted them. Yes, they were consistent - but only in that plenty reached double figures but none managed to make thirty. New boy Permaul took 3-32 but the matchwinner proved not to be a spinner but paceman Tino Best.
Often derided for his wayward bowling, Best lived up to his reputation in the early exchanges but maybe his failings contributed to his success because the batsmen struggled to cope with the variety of short balls, wide stuff and the occasional full and straight delivery. Averaging a feeble forty-odd in Tests, Tino's 5-24 was easily his - er - best in a 17-match career which stretches back almost ten years. He made his debut in 2003 at Bridgetown, he bowled twenty wicketless overs for 99 against the all-conquering Aussies.
Bangladesh are not in the same league, of course, but his performance this week ensured the Windies avoided an embarrassing defeat which would have dampened their new-found confidence. Bangladesh fans would have been desperate for a big scalp and so must be bitterly disappointed to see their side capitulate so easily. Some criticised them for being too negative early on but on day five of a Test, going out guns blazing would probably have been a suicidal strategy. In truth they simply weren't good enough to win, but it may give them heart as they prepare for the second Test at Khulna. Eleven months without a Test may also have contributed to their failure this weekend so the practice may yet yield dividends.
