DHAKA, Dec 4, 2024 (BSS)-Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons said he loves the way his team showed a positive intent, instead of displaying survival attitude, to win the second and final Test against West Indies at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica today. 

"I loved the batters came out with a positive attitude," Simmons said on the official broadcast after the game. "They had a survival attitude in the first few games since I took charge. On the third day, you saw that they were saying, 'I have come to play the game'. I loved and enjoyed it."

The Tigers eventually won the Test by 101 runs to draw the two-match series. They had lost the first Test by 201 runs and things looked like they would have another meek surrender when they were bowled out for 164 runs in the first innings of the second Test.

But the fast bowlers, led by speedster Nahid Rana's 5-61 then jumped on West Indies like a real Tiger to skittle them out for just 146 runs and took 18 runs lead.

The batters broke the stereotype in the second innings, having played in an aggressive manner to set 287-run target for West Indies, a target that looked improbable to achieve given the history of this ground. Only twice teams can successfully chase 180 plus target here with the highest was 212. 

Unarguably the hero was Jaker Ali, who started slowly but switched the gear in emphatic fashion to hit 91 off 106 with eight fours and five sixes.

"I made sure that they know that it is the way we have to play from now on. The Test win is something that these young players were looking forward to. It is nice to see them come back in their way after losing the first Test match. It's total joy for me," Simmons said, also praising the effort of the young players.

"Jaker scored three fifties in successive Tests, so he knows his game. We saw that he can also take on every bowler. He needs to take what he gets from here and try to improve on it. This is not always going to be the way it is."

Simmons who took charge of the team all of a sudden following the sacking of previous coach Chandika Hathurusingha heaped praise on Mehidy Hasan Miraz's captaincy and bowling also.

 "I have been impressed with Miraz. He took over from Shanto on short notice. He has taken the job and run with it. Miraz and Taijul complement each other. Miraz is a little bit faster and straighter, whereas Taijul uses his variations a lot," he remarked.

"Taijul loves hitting the stumps, so he bowls more arm balls than conventional spinners. He seems to be getting better every game. You could see that there was more thought in his bowling here in every session."

Simmons was equally impressed with Nahid Rana who with his express pace put fear in the eyes of West Indian batters.

"I was even more impressed with Rana in Jamaica than I was in Sharjah where he made his ODI debut. For him to be so consistent on this wicket and hitting his lengths. At the end of the day yesterday, he was bowling in his mid-140s. We under-rated the young fast bowler's ability to assess the situation," he said.

"The things he tells me before going on to the field, I wonder whether he is playing his fourth or fifth Test match. He is impressive with pace, but also with his hunger to learn. He keeps growing, and I am sure we will see a lot more of him."