Bangladesh vs West Indies 1st Test Preview & Tips - Bangladesh tipped for victory over the Windies in opening Test

Bangladesh were denied a shot at beating Afghanistan in their one-off Test as the pair battled in a thrilling Test draw. 

The West Indies slumped to an eight-wicket loss at the hands of Pakistan in their last Test as they failed to build on a 90-run win over the same opponent. 

Across their previous 10 Test meetings, Bangladesh have won three times and the Windies have won seven matches.

Bangladesh are looking to build on a run of five wins across their last eight in the Test game, with the side able to hammer Ireland 3-0 in their series before beating Pakistan 2-0. 

They were left hugely frustrated in a crushing innings and 85-run loss to Zimbabwe in June, although this did lead onto a stunning 1-1 draw with Australia in which they beat their opponents by nine wickets before losing by 51 runs. 

Their one-off Test against Afghanistan was one that saw the pair trade blows in an entertaining clash. Bangladesh managed to post scores of 346 and 372/7 declared while they bowled Afghanistan out for 240 and had them teetering at 346/8 chasing 479 to win. 

Bangladesh were in the ascendancy in the match but could not find a way through. Now, they take on a West Indies outfit that has had real issues with the bat in the Test game. A lack of genuine solidity is something that Bangladesh need to find a way to exploit, and I back them to do just that as they win for the sixth time across their last nine. 

The West Indies have managed to piece together a positive run of form in the Test format after avoiding defeat in four of their last five matches. 

A 2-0 series win over Sri Lanka saw the Windies win the first two Tests and draw the third before they beat Pakistan by 90 runs in their first Test. While they did lose the second Test by eight wickets, this run is a lot more positive than their eight-game winless run between June 2025 and December 2025. 

The two sides will know how important it is to get runs on the board, especially when considering the inconsistencies of the touring side with the bat. Indeed, against Pakistan in their two Tests, the Windies scored 311 and 344 in the first innings of the first and second Test respectively before slumping to 181 and 117. Pakistan failed to take advantage of this in the first Test but stormed to victory in the second. If the Windies are to fall apart with the bat, Bangladesh are good enough to take advantage. 

Bangladesh have looked good of late, and I predict that while this series could go either way, the home side will make the most out of playing in their own conditions as they secure a win in the first Test.