West Indies seize control in first Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur

Chase turned the match around

In the first Test between Bangladesh and the West Indies in Mirpur, the turning point came on day three: visiting captain Roston Chase dismantled the home side's top order, reducing them to 79-6. Bangladesh maintained an overall lead of 106 runs when play was suspended due to poor light; on the field remained concussion substitute Jakeer Ali and Naem Hasan, both on 18. This is reported by AFP.

First innings: a tough battle

The day began with the continuation of the West Indies' first innings, resuming at 134-4. The fifth pair—Tagenarine Chanderpaul (56 runs, the visitors' top score) and Justin Greaves—added 65 runs before Shoriful Islam dismissed Chanderpaul, and Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto took a difficult catch at second slip. Greaves lasted until 46, but just before lunch, off-spinner Naem Hasan had him lbw. Naem finished the innings with figures of 4-33, removing Shamara Joseph, Jomel Warrican, and Jaden Seales in the closing stages. The West Indies were all out for 245, trailing by 27 runs after Bangladesh's first innings (272).

Bangladesh's second innings collapse

The home side's reply began with a collapse: Shamara Joseph sent opener Tanzid Hasan back to the pavilion for a duck in just the second over. Shadman Islam, who scored a century in the first innings (105), and Shanto briefly steadied the ship, but then Chase took control: he bowled Shadman for 13, two balls later clean-bowled Tohid Hridoy for a duck, and in the next over had captain Shanto lbw for 10—33-4. After a 30-minute rain break, Warrican had Litton Das (4) lbw and bowled Mehidy Hasan Miraz—53-6. Notably, Chase himself was reprieved on 27, and his unbeaten 43 proved a crucial contribution in the visitors' first innings.

What the teams are saying

West Indies batting coach Floyd Reifer, speaking after the day's play, stated: 'We are in a very good position. We bowled in disciplined areas and stuck to our team plans.' He added, 'If we have to chase 125 runs, I think it is quite possible for us on such a pitch, but obviously we need to take early wickets.' On the Bangladesh side, Naem Hasan is determined to fight: 'We will try to score as many runs as possible for the team. 200 would be very good. We will try to score even more.' Thus, the match's fate hinges on Bangladesh's lower order: if the hosts manage around 200, the visitors will face a target significantly higher than the 125 mentioned by Reifer.