Bangladesh scored the sixth-lowest score in Test history as the West Indies dominated day one of the first Test at North Sound.
Put into bat by the West Indies, Bangladesh couldn’t last 20 overs at the crease, being bowled out for 43 off 18.4 overs. It was their lowest score in Tests, and the second-lowest since England bowled India out for 42 at Lord’s in 1974.
Opener Liton Das top-scored with 25 off 53 balls, including two of the three fours hit in the innings. Four Bangladesh batters were dismissed without scoring, while seven of their batters failed to reach double figures in terms of balls faced – in fact, five of them faced three balls or fewer.
The destroyer-in-chief was Kemar Roach, who became the third cricketer to take five wickets in 12 balls in a Test match. The previous two bowlers were Monty Noble (1902) and Jacques Kallis (2002). Of the five instances of fastest five-fors in Test cricket in terms of balls bowled, four have been against Bangladesh (three coming in 2002), which is a sad indictment on their batsmen.
Fewest balls to take five wickets in a Test innings
Monty Noble – five wickets in 12 balls, vs England, 1902
Jacques Kallis – five wickets in 12 balls, vs Bangladesh, 2002
Kemar Roach – five wickets in 12 balls, vs Bangladesh, 2018
Waqar Younis – five wickets in 13 balls, vs Bangladesh, 2002
Jermain Lawson – five wickets in 14 balls, vs Bangladesh, 2002
The West Indies’ bowling figures looked like a junior school scorebook, with Roach taking 5-8 off five overs, Miguel Cummins 3-11 off four, and Jason Holder 2-10 off his four overs.
In reply, the West Indies kicked off with a 113-run opening partnership between Kraigg Brathwaite and Devon Smith before Abu Jayed had the latter caught behind for 58 off 123 balls. It was debutant Jayed’s first Test wicket. Brathwaite and Kieran Powell moved the score along to 194 before Powell was dismissed for 48
off 65 balls.
Brathwaite ended the day unbeaten on 88 off 204 balls and within sight of his seventh Test century on a day of great drama and huge statistical milestones, all played out in front of a ghost crowd.
Photo: RANDY BROOKS/AFP/Getty Images
