Mighty Cornwall lifts Windies to 2-0 Test series win

The series couldn't have ended without a twist in the tail. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, with the bat, almost pulled off a nearly impossible task. But it was the West Indies who deservingly won the second and final Test by 17 runs and clinched the series 2-0. This very performance should be ranked one of the finest, if not the finest performance by the West Indies in the last couple of decades or so. They had nothing to lose. Even their full-strength side couldn't show much of a fight against Bangladesh in Bangladesh during the last tour. Therefore, this series win by this depleted West Indies team is an extremely tremendous achievement to say the least. 

The visitors had been in command throughout the Test match but Bangladesh regained some lost ground on day four. The home side didn't let the West Indies set up a big target for them. Nkrumah Bonner and Joshua Da Silva, like the first innings, showed some resilience but Bangladesh bowlers made the life difficult for them. Bonner and Da Silva stitched a very handy partnership of 31 for the 7th wicket. Except these two, no one could really make substantial contributions and the West Indies were bundled out for 117, setting up a target of 231. 

Abu Jayed, who wasn't used at all on day three, initially strayed in line but soon found his rhythm. The fast bowler got two wickets. The pick of the bowlers was Taijul Islam with four wickets. Nayeem Hasan also got three, including the vital scalp of Bonner.

It was a tricky chase for Bangladesh as they never had won chasing so many in a Test match. But they were off to an excellent start with Tamim Iqbal striking flurry of boundaries. The duo of Tamim and Soumya Sarkar added 59 in no time before the later was dismissed by part-timer Kraigg Brathwaite, the Windies skipper. Umpire Richard Illingworth initially gave him not out but he had to overturn his decision as the TV replays showed a clear nick and a clean catch. Tamim Iqbal brought up his 28th Test fifty in quick time, off 44 balls to be exact and at that stage, Bangladesh were cruising. 

But the left-handed opener also fell victim to Brathwaite as he played a half-hearted drive straight to short cover. The fielder was set there for that very shot and Tamim fell into the trap.

Najmul Hossain Shanto had a torrid time with the bat throughout the series and couldn't make amends in this innings as well. The southpaw could make only 11 and was dismissed by Rahkeem Cornwall. From 59 for no loss, Bangladesh were reduced to 78 for three.

Bangladesh still had hope as two of the most experienced players in the form of Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim were in the crease. These two kept their wickets intact for nearly forty minutes before Mushfiqur was caught behind off Jomel Warrican. Bangladesh still needed 130 runs to win with six wickets in hand. 

Mohammad Mithun, who came in at six, could not survive more than 12 balls. Liton Das and Mominul Haque put on some sort of a partnership but it was again Jomel Warrican who broke the stand. Mominul 68-ball stay fetched him 26 runs. 

Bangladesh lost their next three wickets in space of 41 runs and were waiting for the inevitable at 188 for nine.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz was still there with number eleven batsman Abu Jayed. The former hit a few lusty blows and gave the home side glimmers of hope. At one stage, it looked like Miraz would see Bangladesh home. But the West Indies, like the first match, held their nerves. Miraz poked at a delivery from Warrican and Rahkeem Cornwall bent low to take a terrific catch, ending Miraz's knock off 31. Bangladesh fell short by 17 runs. 

Rahkeem Cornwall picked up four in this innings, nine in total in this match. Warrican and Brathwaite picked up three apiece. This was the first time since 1956 that all the ten wickets were taken by the West Indies spinners. 

Rahkeem Cornwall, who picked a nine-wicket match haul, was adjudged player of the match. Cornwall was the highest wicket-taker in the series with 14. Nkrumah Bonner, who displayed extreme grit and determination with the bat, was the player of the series.