Best fires West Indies to 2-0 win over Bangladesh

KHULNA, Bangladesh (AFP) –

West Indies’ Tino Best celebrates the dismissal of Bangladesh batsman Shahriar Nafees during the fourth day of the second Test. Paceman Best took a career-best six-wicket haul to fire the West Indies to a crushing ten-wicket win in Khulna, sealing the series 2-0.

Paceman Tino Best took a career-best six-wicket haul to fire the West Indies to a crushing ten-wicket win against Bangladesh in the second Test in Khulna, sealing the series 2-0.

The 31-year-old Barbadian followed his maiden five-wicket haul in the first Test win in Dhaka with 6-40 to dismiss the home team for 287 in the second innings on the fifth and final morning at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium.

The tourists knocked off the required 27 runs in just 4.4 overs to win their second successive series in Bangladesh. They also won the two-Test series 1-0 last year.

Chris Gayle finished with 20 not out while fellow opener Kieran Powell (nine not out) sealed the win with two consecutive boundaries off Naeem Islam.

Bangladesh avoided an innings defeat thanks to a fighting 94 by Nasir Hossain but lost their last four wickets with the addition of 61 runs after resuming at 226-6.

West Indies’ paceman Tino Best clean-bowled Sohag Gazi with his first ball of the day and ended Nasir Hossain’s resistance with a sharp incoming delivery which hit the stumps. Bangladesh avoided an innings defeat thanks to a fighting 94 by Nasir but lost their last four wickets with the addition of 61 runs after resuming at 226-6.

It is Bangladesh’s 65th defeat in 75 Tests since gaining Test status 12 years ago — a dismal record which constantly raises questions over their right to play the five-day version of the game.

Their losses include 34 defeats by an innings.

West Indian captain Darren Sammy described the series win as welcoming.

“It is a step in the right direction and the team played well, it was remarkable to see the way we played,” said Sammy, who also led the team to 2-0 Test win over New Zealand followed by the World Twenty20 triumph last month.

“Best has put us in good positions and it is good to see everyone putting in a lot of hard work.”

Shakib Al Hasan plays a shot during the fourth day of the second Test match between Bangladesh and the West Indies at The Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna on November 24, 2012. He had delayed a West Indian win on Saturday when he hit a defiant 97 but he fell to an irresponsible shot in the penultimate over of the day, exposing the tail for the West Indies on the final day.

Rival captain Mushfiqur Rahim said his team needed more performers.

“There were a couple of guys who put up their hand and did a good job in this Test,” said Rahim. “Congratulations to Shakib for his 100th wicket and Nasir for his good form but we need to work harder to have more players performing like them.

“One of our challenges is to overcome our problems and bat much better.”

Shakib Al Hasan had delayed a West Indian win on Saturday when he hit a defiant 97 but he fell to an irresponsible shot in the penultimate over of the day, exposing the tail for the West Indies on the final day.

Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul, who took 3-67, removed Mohammad Mahmudullah in the first over on Sunday when the batsman failed to keep an attempted sweep down and was caught behind by Denesh Ramdin for two.

Best then came into his own, clean bowling Sohag Gazi with his first ball of the day and ended Nasir’s resistance with a sharp incoming delivery which hit the stumps.

The 20-year-old Nasir, who scored 96 in the first Test in Dhaka, faced 157 balls and hit 11 fours and a six.

The two-Test series will be followed by five one-day internationals with the first in Khulna on Friday. The two teams will also play a Twenty20 international.