Bangladesh spinners put the squeeze on West Indies

06 Feb 2021 AAP

Match Report

06 Feb 2021 AAP

Mehidy Hasan adds four wickets to his first-innings hundred as hosts move into commanding position at stumps on day three

Mehidy Hasan has followed up his maiden Test century with 4-58 as Bangladesh stayed in control of the first Test against West Indies on Friday in Chattogram.

Bangladesh reached 3-47 in their second innings at stumps on day three, stretching their lead to 218 on a deteriorating pitch.

Captain Mominul Haque (31) and Mushfiqur Rahim (10) remained unbeaten.

Earlier, West Indies were bowled out for 259 in their first innings in reply to Bangladesh's 430, giving the hosts a 171-run lead.

Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite led the charge with 76 after West Indies resumed on 2-75.

The captain's innings was vital in resisting Bangladesh's spinners.

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam (2-84) broke through on the opening delivery, dismissing Nkrumah Bonner for 17. But Brathwaite led the repair job, sharing a 55-run partnership with debutant Kyle Mayers.

Nayeem Hasan (2-54) ended the stand, removing Brathwaite who was unable to judge a delivery that spun sharply to rattle his stumps. Brathwaite's innings included 12 boundaries.

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Off-spinner Mehidy, who scored 103 in the first innings, claimed Mayers for 40 to take the first of his four wickets.

Mehidy's excellent bowling, with support from Nayeem and Taijul, covered up the absence of Shakib Al Hasan due to a fresh thigh injury. Shakib was playing this Test after recovering from a groin injury.

At 5-154, West Indies were in trouble but Jermaine Blackwood (68) and wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva (42) shared 99 for the sixth wicket.

West Indies collapsed after losing those two batsmen in the space of four balls.

Nayeem dismissed Da Silva with a delivery that kept low and Mehidy brought an end to Blackwood's stubborn knock.

Mehidy then cleaned up the tail as West Indies lost their last five wickets for only six runs.

Off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall (2-28) gave West Indies some hope, dismissing opener Tamim Iqbal and Najmul Hossain, both without scoring, that left Bangladesh at 2-1.

Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel claimed opener Shadman Islam (5) with a short-pitched delivery.