Bangladesh 269 for December 9 and 109 for 7 (Mehidy 45, Litton 22, Roach 3-20, Seales 3-31) need another 225 runs to beat West Indies 450 by December 9 and 152 (Athanaze 42, Brathwaite 23, Taskin 6-64, Mehidy 2-31)
The Bangladesh batsmen, however, could not pay their bowlers. Both the openers came out in a similar manner as they were dismissed in the first innings. Zakir Hasan edged Roach to his stumps, while Mahmudul Hasan Joy edged Seales to third slip. Roach then set up Shahadat Hossain in the 11th over, swinging the ball away several times before bowling a booming inswinger. The ball kissed Shahadat’s gloves as he tried to move away, before Joshua Da Silva took the inside edge.
Shamar Joseph then saw two dropped catches in his first over, both from Mominul Haque. Da Silva had a chance down the leg, before Mikyle Louis couldn’t hold on to a clear in the gully. Mominul, however, could not last long as Roach took an excellent catch and bowled his drive in the next over.
But Shamar’s bad luck continued at the other end. Alick Athanaze dropped Mehidy Hasan Miraz at second slip, with the Bangladesh captain in the 14th over. Litton Das haughtily clipped one, only to have Seales handball him at backward point. However, Shamar’s exasperation at having four catches on his bowling did not last long. He trapped Litton at fine leg for 22 to reduce Bangladesh to 59 for 5 in the 18th over.
Mehidy was the only one to fight for Bangladesh, withstanding the barrage of short balls and keeping the scoreboard moving. He made 45 off 46 balls with five fours and a six, before Seales caught him behind, while Da Silva took a good catch. Later, Seales also cleansed Taijul Islam.
The West Indies morning had started with good luck despite the surprise declaration. Shahadat, at first slip, bowled captain Kraigg Brathwaite on 9. On the next ball, Taskin swung at Louis’ front pad, but umpire Kumar Dharmasena said no. Replays showed the batsman was in front, but Bangladesh had not received the review.
Taskin, however, removed Louis in his next over as the opener was trapped behind for 8. Taskin then caught Keacy Carty at third slip, further reward for his excellent line and length in his first spell. Brathwaite then guided Shoriful Islam to second slip in the next over as the visitors’ decision to declare gained early vindication.
Kavem Hodge and Alick Athanaze almost got West Indies out of trouble. The pair hit eight fours either side of the lunch break, but just as they added 50 for the fourth wicket, Bangladesh struck three times in as many overs. Taskin’s beautiful delivery that drifted a little wide saw Hodge trail for 15. It was also Litton Das’s 100th catch in Tests.
Mehidy then removed Athanaze in the next over. He made 42 off 63 balls, with seven fours, but the young left-hander played a superfluous shot, hit on the back foot while trying to cut a ball that was turning to him. Taskin then clipped Justin Greaves’ stump with another fantastic delivery, as the first-innings centurion scored just 2 in the second.
More to follow…
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo correspondent in Bangladesh. @isam84
