DHAKA – A superb bowling display by the spinners in the late afternoon saw visiting West Indies plunge into deep trouble as they struggled to score 75 for 5 at stumps in reply to Bangladesh’s massive first innings total of 508 on the second day of the second and final Test on Saturday.
The visitors first innings got off to a horrific start as they lost their top five wickets at 29 runs within first 10 overs to the opening spin attack of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan. West Indies still trail by 433 runs and they have five wickets in hand.
Skipper Shakib Al Hasan struck early inroad on West Indies innings taking wicket in the very first over as he sent back his West Indies counterpart Kreigg Brathwaite, who played for the turn but the wrong one from Shakib
completely bamboozled the Windies captain and bowled him through the gap between bat and pad.
Mehedi Miraz then dismissed Kieran Powell who fell in the sixth over. Sunil Ambris then played a reckless shot to Shakib to give the Tigers’ skipper his second wicket of the day.
Miraz then immediately sent back Roston Chase in the next over with a delivery that did not turn as much as the batsman expected. He then scalped the wicket of Shai Hope, leaving the Caribbean in a deep trouble.
Shimron Hetmyer with 32 and Shane Dowrich with 17 ensured no further damage to finish the second day.
Mehidy Hasan was the pick of Tigers’ bowler taking three wickets for 36 runs. He was well supported by Shakib Al Hasan who bagged two wickets conceding 15 runs.
Earlier, Mahmudullah’s career third Test century saw Bangladesh amass their first innings at 508 for all at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
Skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah added 42 more runs to their overnight partnership before Shakib fell with the score on 301. The duo added 111 for the sixth wicket after Shakib fell for a well knock of 80 off 139
balls studded with six boundaries.
Bangladesh is blessed with batting richness to have a player of Liton Das’s quality coming in at number eight as the wicketkeeper batsman added 92 for the seventh wicket with Mahmudullah off 128 balls. Liton was eventually
bowled by Kraigg Brathwaite for 54 off 62 balls with the help of eight fours and the one six.
Mahmudullah continued to stretch his innings as he added 23 with Mehidy Hasan Miraz (18), 56 with Taijul Islam (26) and 36 with last man Nayeem Hasan (12 not out) as the Tigers were finally all out for 508.
The classy batsman Mahmudullah was the last man out after scoring his third Test century, his 136 was his highest Test score that came off 242 balls which included ten boundaries.
Brathwaite (2-57), Kemar Roach (2-61), Jomel Warrican (2-91) and Devendra Bishoo (2-109) were the pick of the West Indies bowlers through an exhausting Bangladesh inning.
Brief score:
Bangladesh 1st innings – 508 for all, Mahmudullah 136, Shakib 80, Shadman 76, , Liton 54, Mominul 29, Mithun 29, Taijul 26, Brathwait 2/57, Roach 2/61, Warrican 2/91, and Devendra Bishoo 2/109.
West Indies 1st innings – 75 for 5, Hetmyer 32 batting, Dowrich 17 batting, Hope 10, Mehidy 3/36 and Shakib 2/15.
