The 2nd Test at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium gets under way Thu 5 Nov, 2:30 pm AEDT and it already smells like a rematch — Bangladesh and West Indies met in late October and there’s a clear storyline to follow into this game.

This isn’t an ashes tips special, but if you like a good Test yarn the pieces are there: Bangladesh are the home side and on the board as favourites, while West Indies arrive having taken the last meeting. The sample of recent Tests gives us a neat narrative to work through before the toss.

WHO WILL WIN?

Start by lining up the form: Bangladesh’s recent five Tests read as a mixed bag — Wed, 28 Oct: L 272 & 142–245 & 170/2 (35.1 ov, target 170) v West Indies (H); Fri, 9 Oct: D 346 & 372/7d–240 & 346/8 (142 ov, target 479) v Afghanistan (A); Sat, 22 Aug: L 64 & 95 (38.3 ov)–210 v Australia (A); Thu, 13 Aug: W 426 & 57/1 (14.2 ov, target 57)–198 & 284 v Australia (A); Sun, 28 June: L 140 & 185 (45 ov)–410 v Zimbabwe (A). Their most recent result was a home loss on Wed, 28 Oct.

West Indies have been steadier in the sample: Wed, 28 Oct: W 245 & 170/2 (35.1 ov, target 170)–272 & 142 v Bangladesh (A); Mon, 3 Aug: L 344 & 117–387 & 77/2 (23.3 ov, target 75) v Pakistan (H); Sun, 26 July: W 311 & 181–282 & 120 (40.2 ov, target 211) v Pakistan (H); Sat, 4 July: D 499 & 109/0 (40 ov, target 302)–549/9d & 251/9d v Sri Lanka (H); Fri, 26 June: W 626/9d–308 & 101 (31.2 ov) v Sri Lanka (H). Crucially, West Indies are coming off a win (Wed, 28 Oct).

The most recent head-to-head is the October meeting, listed as: Oct 2026: Bangladesh 272 & 142–245 & 170/2 (35.1 ov, target 170) West Indies — that same game is the freshest piece of H2H evidence and it went West Indies’ way.

Market-wise the board currently lists Bangladesh as the favourite and West Indies as the underdog, with a draw also available. Price moves over the last 24 hours are telling: Bangladesh 1.8→1.82 (drifted), West Indies 2.7→2.75 (drifted), draw 6→5.75 (firmed). That combination — favourite drifting slightly while the draw firms a touch — suggests some money or perception is floating around match balance rather than a heavy back for the hosts.

Narrative-wise you can make the case both ways: Bangladesh are at home and short on the board, but their lone recent home Test in the sample is the loss to West Indies, while the visitors arrive with momentum from that same result. Personally, I’m leaning to West Indies for the win market — they have the most recent H2H win and arrive in better recent-Test form — but Bangladesh’s home favourite tag means the market will be doing the thinking for a lot of punters.

Head to Head
Odds correct as at . Odds can change.
Bangladesh$1.80Our tipWest Indies$2.65
Medium confidenceOur tip: West Indies. West Indies beat Bangladesh in the most recent meeting and arrive off that win; the recent form sequence supports backing them to repeat in Sylhet as a value play.

Tipped at $2.75 · . Opinion, not a guarantee. Gamble responsibly — 18+.

Our tip · Head to head
Odds correct as at

Low confidence

Bangladesh$1.82
Bangladesh are the market favourite and will have home conditions on their side; backing them is a board-aligned option if you prefer the safer line.

Tipped at $1.82 ·

Opinion, not a guarantee. Gamble responsibly — 18+.

THE CALL

Play the story more than the number: West Indies’ away win in the last meeting and their recent string of results gives them a narrative edge, so they’re our lean at the match-winner market. Bangladesh are the bookies’ pick on paper — the board shows them favourite — but recent evidence tempers that confidence.

Tip-friendly reminder: this is a Test decided in runs, patience and sessions; weigh the form lines above, the Oct H2H and those price moves — 1.8→1.82 (drifted) for Bangladesh and 2.7→2.75 (drifted) for West Indies — when you size up a punt.