Regional side trails by 138 runs
DHAKA, Bangladesh, Oct 29, CMC – A dramatic second day of the opening Test saw Bangladesh stage a late fightback with the ball.
Still, West Indies maintained the upper hand as rain and bad light brought proceedings to a premature close at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Thursday.
After dismissing Bangladesh for 272, the tourists reached 134 for 4 by 4:35 pm local time, trailing by 138 runs with six second-innings wickets in hand.
The day belonged to two distinct narratives: a stunning West Indian bowling performance by left-arm tweaker Jomel Warrican that triggered a spectacular Bangladeshi batting collapse in the morning, and a resilient, if fortunate, reply from the visitors that was checked by a fiery spell of home bowling in the final session.
Morning Mayhem: Bangladesh’s stunning collapse
Resuming on a comfortable 213 for 3, Bangladesh looked poised to post a formidable first-innings total.
However, the day quickly devolved into a nightmare, as they lost their last seven wickets for just 59 runs.
Left-arm spinners Jomel Warrican and debutant Joshua Bishop were the chief architects of the destruction, sharing seven wickets between them.
Bishop (2 for 61) broke the resistance by dismissing centurion Shadman Islam (105), who edged to slip after reaching his third Test hundred.
The slide continued when Towhid Hridoy, who had retired hurt on the first evening, lasted just two balls, playing a reckless shot that saw his stumps shattered.
Warrican (5 for 53) then tore through the lower order, finding sharp turn to dismiss Mehidy Hasan Miraz, before Shamar Joseph removed Nayeem Hasan and Hasan Mahmud in quick succession.
Warrican fittingly ended the innings by taking the final two wickets on consecutive deliveries, leaving Bangladesh shell-shocked.
Campbell’s luck and Chanderpaul’s grit
In reply, West Indies openers John Campbell and Brandon King cashed in on some good fortune.
Campbell, in particular, was the beneficiary of two crucial reprieves, dropped on 5 at point by Nayeem Hasan and again on 22 when Shoriful Islam split a difficult return catch.
He made the most of his lives, playing with an aggressive intent that saw him punish the Bangladeshi spinners.
Brandon King (15) was the only wicket to fall in the afternoon session, edging a Hasan Mahmud delivery that shaped away to substitute wicketkeeper, Jaker Ali.
Campbell and Chanderpaul then combined for a 61-run partnership for the second wicket, looking increasingly settled as bad light forced an early end to the second session, shortly after Campbell smashed Mehidy for a six and a four off successive balls.
The Late Drama: Shanto’s stunner and Taijul’s double blow
The final session, after a rain delay, saw the game swing dramatically back and forth.
Just as the West Indians looked to have weathered the storm, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto produced a moment of individual brilliance to turn the tide.
Mehidy, returning after the break, found Campbell’s outside edge, and Shanto, fielding at slip, leapt to his left to pluck a stunning one-handed reflex catch, dismissing the opener for a well-made 54.
That breakthrough sparked a mini-collapse. Taijul Islam, who had been probing all day, struck twice in the space of four deliveries.
First, Mominul Haque, fielding at silly mid-off, produced a brilliant low catch to dismiss Kavem Hodge for seven.
Three balls later, Amir Jangoo’s mistimed sweep shot was comfortably taken by Tanzid Hasan at deep square-leg.
From a commanding 90 for 1, West Indies had suddenly slumped to 97 for 4, and the momentum was with the hosts.
However, Tagenarine Chanderpaul (43) and Justin Greaves (15) showed the required grit, adding an unbroken 37-run stand to steer their side to stumps without further loss.
The pair will look to extend the lead significantly on a third-day pitch that is expected to continue aiding the spinners.
CMC la/26