Bangladesh’s Historic Wins in the ICC Test Championship: A Year of Triumph and Struggle

In December last year, Bangladesh achieved a memorable 150-run victory against New Zealand in the Sylhet Test, and now, in another December, they have made history again with a Test win in the West Indies after 15 years. These two remarkable victories have marked the beginning and the end of Bangladesh's participation in the 2023-25 ICC World Test Championship.

Bangladesh's journey in this third cycle of the ICC Test Championship started and ended on a high note, both victories showcasing the team’s resilience and potential. Despite a series of challenges, Bangladesh currently occupies the 8th spot in the points table. Out of the 12 matches they've played so far, Bangladesh has secured 4 wins, three of which were on foreign soil. At the other end of the table, West Indies finds itself struggling at the bottom, but they still have two remaining Tests against Pakistan, which could slightly alter their position.

Mominul Haque's team had been on the backfoot after consecutive losses but managed to clinch a vital 100-run victory over the West Indies in the Kingston Test, bringing relief to the team as they wrapped up their 2024 Test campaign. This victory in Kingston was especially historic for Bangladesh, marking their first win on West Indian soil since the 2009 Grenada Test, ending a 15-year wait.

The beginning of this cycle had been equally successful for Bangladesh, as they defeated New Zealand by 150 runs in Sylhet, with Taijul Islam’s exceptional 10-wicket match performance playing a key role in that victory. In the final match of this cycle, Taijul again emerged as a hero for Bangladesh, taking 6 wickets in two innings against the West Indies, and was awarded the Player of the Match.

However, Bangladesh's journey wasn't without setbacks. On home soil, they suffered a 2-0 whitewash by Sri Lanka. But they bounced back strongly, defeating Pakistan 2-0 on their turf, a historic first-time win in Pakistan. Following this, Bangladesh experienced a tough phase, losing 2-0 in both India and South Africa. In the West Indies series, they started with a loss in Antigua, but they salvaged the series with a win in Jamaica, ending their 2023-25 cycle on a positive note.

Performance Summary:

• New Zealand (Home): 1-1 (Draw)
• Sri Lanka (Home): 0-2 (Loss)
• Pakistan (Away): 2-0 (Win)
• India (Away): 0-2 (Loss)
• South Africa (Home): 0-2 (Loss)
• West Indies (Away): 1-1 (Draw)

In terms of points, Bangladesh has earned 31.25% of the total points available, reflecting both their challenges and their ability to secure key victories. Their journey in this Test Championship cycle has been a mix of highs and lows, but they have shown immense potential, particularly in away series. The team's ability to bounce back after tough losses and win crucial matches, especially in foreign conditions, has been a significant highlight.