Bangladesh have turned an 18-run first-innings lead against West Indies into a competitive 211-run advantage on day three of the second Test at Kingston’s Sabina Park.
The tourists defended their first-innings 164 by bowling out the Windies for 146 just after lunch on Monday, with fast bowler Nahid Rana claiming his maiden Test five-for in his sixth Test.
The visitors batted with boldness, especially Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shadman Islam, and grabbed a handy lead at 5-193 when bad light ended play.
Captain Mehidy’s counterattacking 42 off 39 balls consolidated Bangladesh’s renewed confidence of tying the two-Test series.
First, Bangladesh had to overcome losing Mahmudul Hasan Joy in the first over.
Shahadat Hossain was dropped on 18 but scored only 10 more runs.
That brought in Mehidy, who promoted himself from No.7 to No.4, in part to protect No.3 batter Mominul Haque, who stayed off the field because of an unspecified illness.
Mehidy got off the mark first ball, fended off the second, then smashed four consecutive boundaries.
Shadman and Mehidy combined for 50 in 29 balls but eased just before tea, when Bangladesh were 2-110 and leading by 128.
The tourists exploited the absence of West Indies’ most experienced fast bowler Kemar Roach, who was hit in the shoulder while batting. He didn’t reappear until 30 overs into Bangladesh’s innings. He bowled five overs and conceded 12 runs.
That last session looked more like Test cricket.
Shadman edged behind off Shamar Joseph for 46, ending the stand with Mehidy of 70 in 74 balls. Mehidy followed him soon after on 42.
Litton Das was dropped on 12 but was out for 25, bowled through the gate by Justin Greaves.
At stumps, Jaker Ali was 29 not out.
In the morning, West Indies collapsed from a 1-85 start to lose their last nine wickets for just 61 runs.
Captain Kraigg Brathwaite, on 33, and Keacy Carty, on 19, started the day at 1-70.
Brathwaite triggered the collapse when out for 39, trying to defend Rana only to see the ball pop to gully, where Zakir Hasan made a diving catch.
Carty was the seventh man out trying to flick Hasan Mahmud and edging behind, ending his team-best innings of 40.
Rana tried bouncing out West Indies before lunch and hit Shamar Joseph on the grill and Roach on the shoulder. They lasted three more overs after lunch. Roach was the final man out, trapped by Rana.
Having made his Test debut in March, Rana took 5-61, claiming 4-26 from his last seven overs.
“We knew it was coming,” Bangladesh bowling coach Andre Adams said.
“When you bowl at 150 km/h you’re going to take wickets at some stage. What he has done in the last year is become accurate.”
Content Source: www.perthnow.com.au