Bangladesh recovered from an early setback to reach 96 for 2 at lunch on the opening day of the first Test against West Indies at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday, with opener Shadman Islam leading the fightback.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Bangladesh lost Tanzid Hasan Tamim early but rebuilt through a 59-run partnership between Shadman and Mominul Haque. Mominul fell before lunch, but Shadman remained unbeaten on 42 to keep the hosts on course for a solid first-innings total.
West Indies pacers Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph found early seam movement and swing, troubling both left-handed openers. Tanzid, after spending around 30 minutes at the crease, edged a length delivery outside the fifth-stump channel from Seales to Justin Greaves at second slip. He made seven off 23 balls.
Shadman and Mominul then steadied the innings before left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican broke the partnership. Mominul danced down the track and attempted to loft a tossed-up delivery over mid-off, only to be caught by Shamar Joseph. He scored 28 off 51 balls.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto joined Shadman after Mominul’s departure, and the pair added 28 runs to take Bangladesh to the lunch break at 96 for two. Shadman was unbeaten on 42 off 80 deliveries, including five fours.
The match is the first of Bangladesh’s remaining six Tests in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. The Tigers need four wins and at least one draw from those matches to reach the final for the first time.
Bangladesh are without Mushfiqur Rahim for the series opener after he sustained a contusion injury to his right index finger during training on Tuesday. Towhid Hridoy has replaced him in the playing XI, while Mushfiqur is expected to be available for the second Test in Sylhet, beginning on November 5.
