Just like the Mirpur Test, bad light interrupted play in Sylhet, forcing an early end to the opening day’s proceedings in the second Test between Bangladesh and West Indies on Thursday. Before the umpires called off play, the visitors had taken control of the innings, reaching 235 for four in 70 overs, thanks to Amir Jangoo’s unbeaten century.
Jangoo was batting on 111 off 171 balls, with Justin Greaves on 35, as the pair added an unbroken 77 runs for the fifth wicket. Earlier, Jangoo and debutant Kevin Wickham had rescued West Indies from a difficult position with a 131-run partnership.
The visitors had slumped to 27 for three after Bangladesh’s fast bowlers made the most of the early conditions. Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud shared the first three wickets, putting West Indies under pressure after they elected to bat.
Taskin first removed Brandon King with an inswinger that breached his defence and rattled the leg and middle stumps. King, who struck an unbeaten 81 in the first Test in Mirpur, departed for a duck.
Hasan then dismissed Kavem Hodge with a delivery that pitched on a good length and jagged back to hit the top of middle stump. Hodge made one off 10 balls before Taskin trapped Joshua Da Silva lbw for 12. Da Silva, who opened the innings for the first time in his 35-match Test career, had earlier survived a chance when Shadman Islam dropped a regulation catch at second slip in the second over.
Bangladesh had further opportunities to break through, but Jangoo and Wickham survived. Jangoo edged one behind that fell just short of Litton Das, while Wickham’s edge flew over Shadman at second slip.
Resuming the second session on 86 for three, the pair continued to frustrate Bangladesh’s bowlers. Hasan had a chance to dismiss Jangoo on 68 when the batter miscued a pull shot, but the bowler failed to hold on to the return catch.
Hasan eventually broke the partnership with a delivery that held its line and beat Wickham’s outside edge before hitting the stumps. The 23-year-old debutant departed for 61 off 145 balls, with five fours.
Jangoo, however, continued his counter-attacking approach and reached his second Test century in the third session. He brought up the milestone by coming down the track to Taijul Islam and launching the spinner over extra cover for six. He became only the fifth batter to score at least two centuries in each of his first 10 ODIs and 10 Tests.
After Wickham’s dismissal, Jangoo found another able partner in Greaves, and the two added 77 runs without being separated. Greaves remained unbeaten on 35 at stumps.
Bad light once again proved a major obstacle in Sylhet. After a 35-minute delay, only five more overs were possible before the umpires decided that conditions were unsuitable for play. Just 15 overs were bowled in the third session.
Taskin and Hasan shared the workload with 14 overs each, taking two wickets apiece. Bangladesh’s three spinners, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan, bowled 42 overs between them but could not find a breakthrough.
