Bangladesh celebrate rare test victory in West Indies

DHAKA (Reuters) - Bangladesh savoured only their second victory in 60 tests Tuesday after their team overcame a makeshift West Indies in the first test in Kingston, Jamaica.

However, the celebrations were restrained as West Indies were forced to field seven debutants in a hastily-assembled squad after a boycott by leading players due to contractual and payment issues.

The only previous win for Bangladesh, granted test status in 2000, had come against the visiting Zimbabwe in 2005.

Former skipper Habibul Bashar led the praise for Bangladesh.

"It was long overdue for us," he said. "I have seen the players working very hard to be successful in test cricket and they deserved it.

"They were under pressure to win this match especially after West Indies fielded a weak team. Full credit to them that they did not succumb to it," the nation's most successful test batsman added.

Victory was still uncertain when Bangladesh fans went to bed as the team had only 80 overs to bowl out West Indies after setting a fourth-innings target of 277 runs on the final day.

Bangladesh wrapped up a 95-run win, taking the lead in the two-test series.

"I went to bed when West Indies were 128 for six at tea. No doubt the match was in our favour, (but) I still wasn't sure as we had had some bitter experiences," said Anwar Sadat, accountant in a private firm.