Bangladesh found a way back into the opening Test against West Indies through their spinners on Thursday, but fading light cut short their progress on the second day in Mirpur. West Indies reached 134 for four in their first innings, 138 runs behind, after Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz struck three times following a rain interruption.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul was holding the innings together on 43 off 145 balls, with Justin Greaves unbeaten on 15. The pair added 37 runs in the final 12 overs, helping West Indies recover from the loss of three wickets after tea.
The hosts had been looking for a breakthrough against John Campbell and Chanderpaul, whose partnership had grown to 61. Miraz finally separated them, drawing Campbell forward with a flighted delivery outside off stump. Najmul Hossain Shanto moved quickly at first slip to grab the edge.
Campbell departed for 54 off 74 balls, having struck six fours and two sixes. The opener had earlier benefited from two missed chances, first when Nayeem Hasan failed to hold a catch at backward point with Campbell on five, and later when Shoriful Islam could not complete a return catch at 22.
Taijul took over from there. Kavem Hodge tried to play forward but was beaten by the flight and failed to get to the pitch of the ball. Mominul Haque held the catch at silly point to leave West Indies 97 for three.
Aamir Jangoo lasted just three deliveries. After leaving the first two, he attempted to sweep Taijul for six but mistimed the shot. Tanzid Hasan ran in from the boundary to complete the catch, giving Taijul a double wicket maiden.
West Indies were four down, but Chanderpaul and Greaves kept Bangladesh at bay until the light deteriorated. The umpires checked the light after 48 overs and sent the players off when it fell below the required level. Play was abandoned for the day soon afterwards, with bad light interrupting proceedings for the second day in a row.
Taijul ended with two for 44 from 15 overs, while Miraz took one for 44 from 19. Hasan Mahmud had earlier removed Brandon King, who edged behind to substitute wicketkeeper Jaker Ali Anik for 15, ending a 29-run opening stand.
Jaker was keeping in place of Litton Das, who was struck on the right elbow while batting and is under observation. Litton had remained unbeaten on 34 in Bangladesh’s first innings.
Campbell reached his fifty off 61 balls, taking a four and a six off Miraz in successive deliveries. That boundary also brought up a 50-run stand with Chanderpaul, and the opener appeared set to build a substantial score before Miraz found the edge.
The West Indies innings had already been interrupted by bad light earlier in the day. The visitors were 89 for one at the early tea break, taken at 2pm, when rain arrived. After nearly an hour, play resumed under cloudy skies, and the umpires permitted an extra 30 minutes beyond the scheduled close if conditions allowed.
Bangladesh had earlier failed to capitalise on a strong position, losing seven wickets for 59 runs after resuming at 213 for three. Shadman Islam made 101, converting his overnight 99 not out into a century before debutant Joshua Bishop trapped him lbw.
Bishop also bowled Towhid Hridoy, who had retired hurt with cramps on the opening day. Litton and Mehidy added 32 runs before Warrican bowled the latter for 15. Warrican finished with five for 53, while Bishop and Shamar Joseph took two wickets apiece.
Bangladesh were all out for 272 in 97.3 overs, with Litton stranded on 34. The lower order failed to extend the innings, as Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Taijul and Shoriful managed five, six, one and zero respectively.
