Sylhet Test: Bangladesh on the Back Foot at Stumps After West Indies Pacers Run Riot

Sports Desk: Bangladesh are on the back foot at the end of the second day of the second Test against the visiting West Indies at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. The Tigers finished the second day’s play at 88 for 3 in their first innings in response to the Caribbeans’ first innings of 356 runs. Bangladesh is still behind by 268 runs.

The second day’s play was called off early due to black light. At that time, veteran Mushfiqur Rahim (19*) and Towhid Hridoy (29*) were unbeaten at the crease. They are trying to overcome the danger by putting on an unbroken partnership of 37 runs for the fourth wicket.
Earlier, pacer Hasan Mahmud shone for Bangladesh alone with the ball on the morning of the second day.

He took 6 wickets for 90 runs. Hasan became only the second bowler in international Test history after Nathan Lyon to take his first five five-wicket hauls (fivers) in five different countries.

After the West Indies were all out in the first innings, Bangladesh’s batting innings witnessed a new experience. Opener Shadman Islam left the field in the morning after injuring his ankle while fielding. In his absence, spinner Naeem Hasan came out to start the innings. However, Naeem could not take advantage of opening for the first time in his Test career; he was caught behind the wicket off Jayden Seals’s ball and returned after playing just 6 balls. At
the other end, opener Tanjid Hasan Tamim could not go far either. He was caught spectacularly at cover by Kevin Wickham while driving off Justin Greaves. Immediately after the tea break, Bangladesh captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto (18 off 68 balls) was bowled by Shamar Joseph with a great away swinger.

Bangladesh were under intense pressure after losing 3 wickets for just 51 runs. However, Mushfiqur and Hridoy did not let any further trouble arise. They managed to handle one bouncer after another and sledge the Caribbean pacers to see the team through the rest of the day safely.

Earlier, West Indies started the second day with 230 for 3. Hasan created a hat-trick opportunity by dismissing centurions Amir Jangu and Roston Chase back-to-back. Amir Jangu scored a brilliant 133. In the end, the visitors put up a challenging total of 356 runs with the help of the tailenders. For Bangladesh, Mehedi Hasan Miraj took 2 wickets along with Hasan Mahmud’s 6 wickets.