LONDON, England (BBC) – A superb bowling spell from Mahmudullah saw Bangladesh record only their second ever Test victory with a 95-run win against a weakened West Indies side.
Set 277 to win, the home side crumbled to 181 all out as the debutant off-spinner ripped through the batting order with 5-51 in St Vincent.
David Bernard (52 not out) was the only batsman to provide any resistance.
Earlier, Bangladesh lost their last five wickets for 23 runs to finish on 345 with Darren Sammy claiming 5-70.
The victory is Bangladesh’s first overseas – their previous win came against Zimbabwe over four years ago in Chittagong – in 60 matches since their introduction to Test cricket nine years ago.
“It means a lot to us, we are very happy,” said opening batsman Tamim Iqbal, whose second-innings 128 set up the victory.
However, Bangladesh’s achievement was overshadowed by beating a second-string West Indies side missing 13 of its best players because of an ongoing contract dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).
The board has insisted it will field the same squad – seven of whom made their debuts at Arnos Vale – if no settlement can be reached ahead of the second Test which starts in Grenada on Friday.
The final day began promisingly for the home side as Sammy claimed three dismissals for his second Test five-wicket haul.
But with 80 overs to chase down 277 on a wearing wicket at Arnos Vale, the inexperienced West Indies batting line-up succumbed to Bangladesh’s triple spin attack.
Openers Dale Richards and Omar Phillips each fell for 14 before captain Floyd Reifer became the first of Mahmudullah’s five victims for 19.
Reduced to 85-5, Bernard found support in Sammy, but the vice-captain was dismissed by Shakib Al Hasan to leave the home side precariously placed at 119-6.
But, despite reaching his second half-century of the match, Bernard could not find adequate support as Bangladesh wrapped up their historic victory 40 minutes from the scheduled close.
“It is disappointing to lose but I think the guys, brought here the night before a Test, fought well,” said 36-year-old stand-in skipper Reifer, who made his first international appearance.