A superb batting display by the Bangladesh middle order put the hosts in the ascendancy on day two of the second Test against the West Indies at Dhaka.
Skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah added 42 more runs to their overnight partnership, before Al Hasan fell with the score on 301. The pair added 111 for the sixth wicket, Al Hasan falling for a well-played 80 off 139 balls (6×4).
Bangladesh are blessed with batting riches to have a player of Liton Das’ quality coming in at number eight in the order, and the wicketkeeper-batter added 92 for the seventh wicket, with Mahmudullah, off 128 balls. Das was bowled by Kraigg Brathwaite for 54 off just 62 balls, striking eight fours and the only six of the innings.
The tail continued to wag all the way to the bottom, as Mahmudullah added 23 with Mehidy Hasan Miraz (18), 56 with Taijul Islam (26) and 36 with last man Nayeem Hasan (12 not out) as Bangladesh ended their innings on 508 off 154 overs.
The 32-year-old Mahmudullah was the last man out after scoring his third Test century in his 81st innings. His 136 was his highest Test score, coming off 242 balls (10×4).
Brathwaite (2-57), Kemar Roach (2-61), Jomel Warrican (2-91) and Devendra Bishoo (2-109) were the pick of the West Indies bowlers through an exhausting Bangladesh inning.
The West Indies first innings got off to a horrific start, as they lost their first four wickets for 20 runs inside 10 overs to the opening spin attack of Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who picked up two wickets apiece. Kraigg Brathwaite (0), Kieran Powell (4), Sunil Ambris (7) and Roston Chase (0) were the first to fall, followed shortly thereafter by Shai Hope (10 off 30 balls) to leave the West Indies on 30-5 after 12 overs.
Shimron Hetmyer (32 off 43 balls, 3×4) and Shane Dowrich (17 off 37 balls, 1×4) added an unbroken 46 for the sixth wicket before stumps, leaving West Indies 75-5 overnight after 24 overs.
Al Hasan (2-15) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (3-36) have dismissed half of the West Indies team between them without breaking a sweat and will both be targeting five-fors before the innings is complete.
With five first-innings wickets in hand, the West Indies trail by 433 runs with three days to play. They seem to have little chance of winning the Test and drawing the two-Test series 1-1.
Photo: Salahuddin Ahmed/AFP/Getty Images
