For Bangladesh’s rising cricketer Jaker Ali Anik, his journey in cricket has always been intertwined with the love and support of his late father. After Bangladesh’s emphatic 101-run win over the West Indies in Jamaica, Jaker dedicated the victory to his father, expressing how much it would have meant to him if he were alive to witness the moment.

The 2009 series against the West Indies marked a historic moment for Bangladesh, as they clinched their first-ever Test win on Caribbean soil. For an 11-year-old Jaker, it was an unforgettable experience, staying up all night to watch the matches. His father, surprised to see his young son awake in the early hours, refrained from scolding him and instead supported his passion for cricket.

Fifteen years later, Jaker Ali Anik himself is a key contributor to Bangladesh’s victory on West Indies soil—a win that he believes his father would have stayed up all night to watch.

“I was 11 back then. I didn’t miss a single game of that series. I stayed awake all night to watch Bangladesh play. My father woke up early in the morning and saw me watching the match. He stared at me in surprise but didn’t scold me. Fifteen years later, I’m playing for Bangladesh in the same series. If my father were alive, he would’ve stayed up all night to watch me play. This win is for you, Abba,” an emotional Jaker shared after the match.

Despite a setback in the Antigua Test, Bangladesh came back strong to clinch a commanding victory in Jamaica. The match saw remarkable performances from players across the board.

In the first innings, Nahid Rana’s five-wicket haul restricted the West Indies to a modest 146. Bangladesh then posted a competitive 287-run target, thanks largely to Jaker Ali Anik’s brilliant 91-run knock. His one-day style batting anchored the innings and provided the platform for Bangladesh’s bowlers to shine.

The spotlight then turned to Taijul Islam, who delivered a stellar all-round performance. After scoring 66 and 50 runs across two innings with the bat, the specialist spinner claimed five wickets in the second innings, earning him the Player of the Match award. Taskin Ahmed, with 11 wickets in the series, shared the Player of the Series honor with West Indies pacer Jayden Seales.

While individual accolades shone brightly, Jaker’s contribution remained pivotal. His composed 91 laid the foundation for a historic victory, one he emotionally dedicated to his late father. This emotional dedication reflects the bond between Jaker’s cricketing dreams and his father’s unwavering support, even in his absence.