West Indies fought back strongly after an early collapse against Bangladesh’s pace attack in the second Test in Sylhet. However, Hasan Mahmud’s late breakthrough, ending a 131-run fourth-wicket partnership by dismissing debutant Kevin Wickham, brought Bangladesh back into the contest. West Indies reached 180 for four at tea on the opening day.
The visitors added 97 runs in 29 overs in the second session, with Wickham and Amir Jangoo leading the recovery. After lunch, as the ball softened, both batters grew increasingly comfortable against Bangladesh’s bowling attack.
The spin trio of Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz struggled to make inroads as the West Indies pair steadily rebuilt the innings.
A few overs before tea, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was heard asking Hasan to bowl a consistent barrage of short deliveries at Wickham. The tactic paid off when one bouncer struck the debutant on the hand. Soon after, Wickham was beaten by an inswinging delivery from Hasan that knocked back his off stump.
Wickham had earlier survived a couple of chances against Hasan. On 18, an edge flew past Shadman Islam at second slip, while he was dropped on 52 when Hasan failed to hold on to a return catch in the 44th over.
The debutant eventually departed for 61 off 145 balls, including five fours, becoming Hasan’s second victim of the innings.
At the other end, Jangoo continued to anchor the innings after reaching his half-century off 86 deliveries. He was unbeaten on 76 from 124 balls at tea, having struck seven fours and a six.
Earlier, West Indies had slumped to 27 for three after Taskin Ahmed and Hasan made good use of the new ball. Taskin, who returned to the side in place of Shoriful Islam, bowled Brandon King for a duck with an inswinger. King had scored an unbeaten 81 in the first Test in Mirpur.
Hasan then dismissed Kavem Hodge, who left a good-length delivery outside off stump only to see it crash into his middle stump. Hodge made one off 10 balls.
Taskin also trapped Joshua Da Silva lbw for 12, leaving West Indies in deep trouble before Wickham and Jangoo’s recovery.
