Bangladesh host the West Indies in the second and final Test at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium from November 5, 2026. The visitors lead the two-match series after winning the opener in Dhaka inside four days. Sylhet's pitch history, the head-to-head record and likely line-ups shape this preview.
Series Context: Where Bangladesh and West Indies Stand
Bangladesh lost the first Test despite a strong first-innings start from Shadman Islam. They secured a first-innings lead, but the batting unit collapsed in the second innings and set a modest target.
The West Indies chased it down on day four to take an unassailable 1-0 lead. They have no realistic route to the World Test Championship Final 2027, so a 2-0 sweep is the main objective for the visitors.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|
| Match | Bangladesh vs West Indies, 2nd Test, West Indies tour of Bangladesh 2026 |
| Date | November 05-09, 2026 |
| Start Time (IST) | 9:00 AM |
| Venue | Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet |
| Broadcast and Live Streaming | FanCode (App and Website) |
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium: Pitch Report
The surface at Sylhet generally favours batters in the first innings. Conditions then shift towards bowlers from the third day onwards, with spin gaining more influence as the match progresses.
The venue's results strongly support batting first. Five of the six Tests played there have gone against the chasing team, which is about 83.3% of completed matches at the ground.
Pitch Trends at a Glance
| Metric | Value |
|---|
| Tests played at venue | 6 |
| Chasing team lost | 5 |
| Share of chasing-side defeats | 83.3% |
| Expected bowling impact | Spin-dominant from day three |
The toss therefore carries real weight. A captain who wins it is likely to bat first and avoid a fourth-innings chase on a worn pitch. Both sides are expected to field spin-heavy attacks.
BAN vs WI: Head-to-Head Record in Tests
The West Indies hold a clear historical advantage. They have won 16 of the 23 Tests played between the sides, while Bangladesh have won five.
| Category | Matches | Share |
|---|
| Matches played | 23 | 100% |
| Won by Bangladesh | 5 | 21.7% |
| Won by West Indies | 16 | 69.6% |
| Drawn/No result | 2 | 8.7% |
The first fixture was played on December 8-10, 2002. The most recent was the first Test of this series, played from October 28 to November 1, 2026.
What the Numbers Suggest
The West Indies have won roughly seven of every ten Tests in this fixture. Only two matches have ended without a result, so the contest rarely goes to a draw.
Bangladesh's home conditions and Sylhet's spin-friendly surface could narrow the gap. Their first-innings lead in Dhaka shows the side can compete when the top order delivers.
Predicted Playing 11s
Bangladesh have one selection question in the middle order, where Mominul Haque and Jaker Ali are competing for a place. The rest of the XI looks settled, with a bowling mix built around spin.
Bangladesh Predicted XI
West Indies Predicted XI
| No. | Player |
|---|
| 1 | John Campbell |
| 2 | Brandon King |
| 3 | Tagenarine Chanderpaul |
| 4 | Kavem Hodge |
| 5 | Amir Jangoo |
| 6 | Justin Greaves |
| 7 | Roston Chase (C) |
| 8 | Joshua Bishop |
| 9 | Shamar Joseph |
| 10 | Jomel Warrican |
| 11 | Jayden Seales |
Analytical Outlook
Three factors stand out: the toss, the first-innings total and spin control in the third and fourth innings. Bangladesh's collapse in the second innings in Dhaka is the main concern for the hosts.
The West Indies lead the series and the head-to-head record. If they bat first on a pitch that deteriorates late, Sylhet's 5-in-6 trend would favour them. Bangladesh will need a big first-innings score to reverse it.