West Indies ended the first day of the Antigua Test at 250 for five, a rating that reflected a day of transferring fortunes.
After losing two early wickets to Taskin Ahmed, the hosts rallied via a resilient partnership between Mikkail Lewis and Alick Athanaze.
Each got right here agonisingly shut to centuries, nonetheless gradual strikes by Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz introduced Bangladesh aid into the competition, leaving the match finely poised.
Batting first at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, West Indies stumbled on themselves in early wretchedness after Taskin Ahmed struck twice in speedily succession.
Kraigg Brathwaite, attempting to anchor the innings, became as soon as trapped lbw for 4 off 38 deliveries. Taskin then eliminated Keacy Carty for a duck, caught by Taijul Islam, lowering the hosts to 25 for 2.
With the tip order dismantled, Mikhail Lewis and Kavem Hodge got right here collectively to rebuild the innings. The pair added 59 runs, patiently weathering disciplined bowling from the Bangladeshi assault.
On the synthetic hand, the partnership became as soon as broken when Hodge became as soon as flee out for 25 off 63 balls, attempting a 2d flee. West Indies went into the tea interval on 116 for 3, with Lewis preserving firm at one cease.
The third session introduced mixed fortunes for each facets. Bangladesh’s pacers struggled to win breakthroughs, allowing Lewis and Alick Athanaze to dominate proceedings. Lewis seemed situation for a memorable century, and Athanaze supported him ably, showing intent against budge and tempo alike. The duo added 140 runs for the fourth wicket, frustrating the company.
Bangladesh’s fielding, nonetheless, left much to be desired. Mehidy Hasan Miraz dropped a straightforward to find off Lewis in the slips when the batter became as soon as lovely three runs wanting a century.
Nonetheless Miraz redeemed himself shortly after, as Lewis tried an aggressive shot and edged it to Shahadat Hossain Dipu in the slips, falling agonisingly wanting his hundred with 97 runs off 218 balls.
Rapidly after, Athanaze departed for 90 off 130 deliveries, caught in the aid of off Taijul Islam. His dismissal left the West Indies at 228 for five, bringing some reduction to the Bangladesh camp after enduring a prolonged length of toil.
Joshua Da Silva and Justin Greaves then noticed off the leisure overs with out additional damage, closing the day at 250 for five. Taskin Ahmed done as the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh with two wickets, whereas Taijul and Miraz claimed a wicket every.
As the 2d day looms, each groups will test up on to elevate adjust of the match.
For Bangladesh, early wickets shall be essential, whereas West Indies will aim to push their entire nearer to the 400-flee label. The match stays finely balanced, environment the stage for an interesting battle forward.
