Bangladesh suffered a dramatic batting collapse in their second innings against West Indies in the Mirpur Test, losing six wickets for just 53 runs after starting the innings with a 27-run lead. However, Jaker Ali and Nayeem Hasan came to the rescue with an unbeaten seventh-wicket stand, taking the hosts’ overall lead past 100
before bad light halted play on the third day.
Bangladesh reached 79/6 in 29 overs at stumps, extending their overall lead to 106 runs. Jaker and Nayeem have added 26 runs off 44 deliveries, with both batters unbeaten on 18.
Jaker, who came in as Mominul Haque’s concussion substitute, has faced 32 balls and struck one four. Nayeem has also scored 18 off 30 deliveries, hitting two boundaries. Their partnership has given Bangladesh some breathing space after the West Indies spinners tore through the top order on a wearing Mirpur pitch.
The lead crossed 100 when Jaker swept Jomel Warrican for four in the 28th over. The right-hander has shown patience under pressure, keeping the scoreboard moving while avoiding unnecessary risks.
Nayeem also had a close escape after being given out lbw on seven against Joshua Bishop. He immediately reviewed the decision, insisting to Jaker that he had made contact with the ball. Replays confirmed an inside edge before the ball struck his pad, overturning the decision.
Before the seventh-wicket stand, Bangladesh had lost their last six wickets in a collapse that began in the second over. Tanzid Hasan fell for a duck, edging Shamar Joseph to Roston Chase at gully after closing the face of his bat.
Chase then struck twice in an over, bowling Shadman Islam for 13 before Towhid Hridoy’s loose shot ended in the hands of Jayden Seales at mid-on. Bangladesh were reduced to 28/3, with Mominul unavailable to bat after suffering a concussion while fielding.
Najmul Hossain Shanto became Chase’s third victim when he was trapped lbw for 10. The Bangladesh captain missed the line while playing for turn, and a review confirmed the ball would have hit leg stump. Rain interrupted play shortly afterwards, forcing an early tea with Bangladesh at 34/4.
The trouble continued after the break. Litton Das fell lbw to Warrican for four in the first over after tea, with the review confirming the decision. Mehidy Hasan Miraz followed for nine, bowled by Warrican after misjudging the bounce and movement of a delivery outside off.
West Indies had earlier been bowled out for 245 in their first innings, giving Bangladesh a 27-run lead. Nayeem Hasan claimed four wickets, including his 50th Test scalp, while Mehidy and Taijul Islam took two each.
Bangladesh had made 272 in their first innings, with Shadman Islam scoring a century.
