When Bangladesh was granted full ICC membership on June 26, 2000, they were the newest Test cricket nation in the world. The West Indies, meanwhile, were a declining cricket power facing their own struggles in international cricket.
This wasn’t a rivalry born from equal footing. Bangladesh started as the underdog, and the West Indies entered as the struggling giant attempting to salvage their cricket legacy.
The story of Bangladesh vs West Indies cricket timeline is fundamentally different from other rivalries. It’s not about sustained dominance or long-standing traditions, but about one nation’s meteoric rise meeting another nation’s gradual decline.
| Format | Test | ODI | T20I | Total |
| Bangladesh Wins | 5 | 21 | 8 | 34 |
| West Indies Wins | 5 | 24 | 9 | 38 |
| Draws/No Result | 4 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
| Total Matches | 14 | 47 | 19 | 80 |
The balance reveals something fascinating about the Bangladesh vs West Indies cricket timeline. Test cricket remains West Indies’ domain, while Bangladesh now dominates one-day formats. This format-specific pattern explains the entire narrative arc of their rivalry.
2000-2004: Bangladesh Struggles at Test Entry
Bangladesh played their first-ever Test on November 13, 2000, against India in Dhaka, losing by nine wickets. The West Indies first faced Bangladesh in a Test series in May 2004, during a time when both teams struggled internationally.
Bangladesh took 21 consecutive Test losses between 2001 and 2004. During this period, they faced the West Indies twice but drew one match and lost the other, providing crucial early experience against established cricket nations.
2009: Bangladesh’s Historic First Overseas Series Victory
July 2009 marked the turning point. Bangladesh toured the West Indies and secured their first-ever overseas Test series victory—a monumental achievement that changed how the cricket world viewed the young team.
Shakib Al Hasan, just 22 years old and captaining Bangladesh for only the second time, led the team to victory in St. George’s with an unbeaten 96. Shakib’s all-round performance was extraordinary: he took 5 for 70 and 3 for 59 while also batting brilliantly.
This wasn’t just a win. Shakib would later describe it as Bangladesh’s biggest achievement since gaining Test status in 2000.
The victory established Bangladesh as a team with genuine potential. Shakib’s leadership and skill became the template for how Bangladesh would compete at the highest level going forward. The West Indies, hampered by injuries and declining form, couldn’t respond effectively.
2018-2019: Bangladesh Dominates at Home
When the West Indies toured Bangladesh in November 2018, Bangladesh swept the Test series 2-0—their first home victory against the West Indies.
Shakib Al Hasan became the first Bangladesh bowler to take 200 Test wickets during this series. The milestone symbolized how Bangladesh’s cricket infrastructure had developed in just 18 years of Test cricket.
Bangladesh won the second Test by an innings and 184 runs, their biggest winning margin in Test history at that point. Mehedi Hasan took 12 wickets for 117 runs in the match, a phenomenal achievement for a young bowler.
The ODI and T20I series showed Bangladesh’s dominance extending beyond the longest format. Bangladesh was no longer the struggling newcomer; they were a competitive team beating former powerhouses regularly.
2024: Bangladesh Wins on Caribbean Soil
In December 2024, Bangladesh won their first Test in the Caribbean in 15 years, defeating West Indies by 101 runs in Kingston, Jamaica. This marked Bangladesh’s third Test victory on Caribbean soil since their first overseas win in 2009.
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The victory reflected Bangladesh’s structural improvements in domestic cricket and player development. West Indies faced the opposite—declining infrastructure and difficulty retaining talent globally.
Format-Specific Dominance Patterns
The Bangladesh vs West Indies cricket timeline shows radically different outcomes across formats. In Test cricket, both teams have won 5 matches each from 14 total Tests, showing surprising parity in recent years.
One-day cricket tells a different story. Bangladesh leads 21-24 in ODIs, holding near-parity with the West Indies. Bangladesh’s one-day dominance comes from their aggressive batting style established by players like Mashrafe Mortaza and perfected by younger generations.
T20 cricket shows Bangladesh with 8 wins to West Indies’ 9 wins from 19 matches. The format remains competitive between both nations, reflecting how T20’s explosive nature doesn’t always favor experience or infrastructure.
Test Cricket Balance
Test cricket shows West Indies and Bangladesh level at 5 wins each. This parity is stunning given Bangladesh’s late entry into Test cricket and the West Indies’ once-dominant history.
West Indies’ advantage comes from their senior players’ experience and Caribbean home advantage. Bangladesh’s success comes from improved infrastructure, quality spin bowlers like Shakib and Mehedi Hasan, and tactical discipline.
Shakib Al Hasan: The Player Who Defined the Rivalry
Shakib Al Hasan stands as the single most important player in Bangladesh vs West Indies cricket timeline. His 2009 debut as captain led Bangladesh to their first overseas series victory.
Shakib took his maiden five-wicket haul against West Indies in 2018, becoming a true all-rounder nightmare for opposition teams. By 2024, Shakib had played 59 Tests, scoring over 3,000 runs and taking 250 wickets.
His aggressive batting style revolutionized how Bangladesh approached ODI cricket. In the 2019 Cricket World Cup, Shakib became the first Bangladesh player to score 1,000 World Cup runs, cementing his place as the nation’s greatest cricketer.
Shakib’s leadership, though sometimes controversial, transformed Bangladesh from a team seeking respect into a team demanding respect. His rivalry with West Indies players wasn’t hostile but competitive, reflecting how both teams had evolved past the 2000s power imbalance.
Iconic Moments That Defined the Rivalry
The 2009 first overseas series victory remains the defining moment. Bangladesh swept the West Indies 2-0, proving they belonged in Test cricket’s elite circle.
The 2018-19 home series victory showed Bangladesh could dominate West Indies consistently at home. Mehedi Hasan’s 12-wicket haul became a symbol of Bangladesh’s young talent challenging the old guard.
The 2019 ICC World Cup saw Bangladesh defeat West Indies in the group stage, a symbolic passing of the torch from one Caribbean powerhouse to an emerging Asian force.
The 2024 Caribbean victory represented the final confirmation: Bangladesh could win anywhere, anytime. The West Indies could no longer count on home advantage against their former underdogs.
Bangladesh’s World Cup Dominance Over West Indies
During the 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage, Bangladesh defeated West Indies by 7 wickets at the Rose Bowl. Bangladesh chased down West Indies’ total with clinical efficiency.
This symbolized Bangladesh’s transformation into a genuine World Cup competitor. Shakib’s performance in that tournament—600+ runs and 10 wickets—showcased Bangladesh’s balanced excellence against the West Indies.
FAQs
When did Bangladesh first play West Indies in Test cricket?
Bangladesh and West Indies first faced in Test series in May 2004. West Indies won that series while Bangladesh drew one match.
Who leads the overall head-to-head record?
West Indies lead 38-34 in total matches across all formats. However, Bangladesh dominate ODI cricket with 21 wins compared to West Indies’ 24 wins, showing remarkable format-specific balance.
Has Bangladesh ever swept a Test series against West Indies?
Yes, Bangladesh swept a two-match Test series in November 2018 at home, winning 2-0. First home series victory in Test cricket.
What made Shakib Al Hasan so important to this rivalry?
Shakib led Bangladesh to first overseas series victory in 2009 at age 22. His 250+ Test wickets and 3,000+ runs made Bangladesh competitive equals.
When did Bangladesh win their first Test in the Caribbean?
Bangladesh won their first Caribbean Test in July 2009 in St. George’s with Shakib scoring unbeaten 96. Won another in Jamaica December 2024.
How has Bangladesh dominated in one-day cricket?
Bangladesh leads ODI cricket with 21 wins and features aggressive batting style under Mashrafe Mortaza’s influence. Their spinners like Shakib excel in limited-overs formats with controlled bowling patterns.
What is Bangladesh’s biggest Test victory over West Indies?
Bangladesh won by an innings and 184 runs in November 2018 at home. Largest winning margin ever in Test cricket history.
Why does West Indies struggle against Bangladesh now?
West Indies faces declining infrastructure, player emigration to T20 leagues, and lack of consistent domestic cricket matches. Bangladesh invested heavily in domestic cricket systems and developed quality young talent systematically.
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