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West Indies Vs Bangladesh Ist Test Played at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium Chattogram  

Brief Score Card at Stumps of Day-2: 

Bangladesh: 324 All Out (Mominul Haque 120, Imrul Kayes 44, Shakib Al Hasan 34, Taijul Islam 39*, Nayeem Hasan 24* , Mehedy Miraj 22, Shannon Gabriel 4/70, JA Warricon 4/62) and 55/5 ( Mohammad Mithun 17, Mominul Haque 12, Soumya Sarkar 11, Mushfiqur Rahim 11*, R Chase 2/16, JA Warrican 2/22, D Bishoo 1/5), West Indies 246 All Out (SO Hetmeyer 63, SO Dorwich 63*< Nayeem Hasan 5/61, Shakib Al Hasan 3/43)

Pendulum swinging end to end, intriguing Chattgarm test at stumps of day two looked delicately poised. Bangladeshi spinners-debutant Nayeem with history setting 5/6i and Shakib 3/43 managed getting invaluable 78 runs first innings lead. West Indies was bundled out at 246 responding to Bangladesh first innings score of 324. Bangladesh second innings looked miserable at 55/5 taking them to an overall lead of 133 with half of the batsmen back in the pavilion. One can only conclude the match to be delicately poised. Cricket is a game of glorious uncertainty where miracles happen. The wicket is taking prodigious turn and bounce. The visible cracks are opening. 

Bangladesh needs at least 200 -220 runs lead for pressing home the victory. West Indies needs restricting Bangladesh below that score and batting out of their skins for winning. Over all, third day at Chittagong would witness fascinating contest of bat and ball. Team keeping their nerves would come out victorious. People must crowd in eye witnessing nerve wrecking test matches. Eventually Chattogram may have to celebrate the emergence of their local hero Nayeem hero.

Few questions were raised when Bangladesh let a 17 years old teenager Nayeem Hasan debut at Chattogram despite having three world class spinners Shakib, Taijul and Mehedy as well as occasional spinner Mahmudullah in the team. But what a master stroke it turned out to be. He batted brilliantly in the first innings with Taijul in tail wagging for Bangladesh in the first innings showing no nerves at all. 

Then he appeared with his magic with his classic off spin bowling. As the youngest player taking five wickets haul he has already entered the record book eclipsing Pat Cummins of Australia. He is the 8th Bangladeshi bowlers taking 5 wickets on debut. His mates Taijul and Mehedy Miraj are among others. Hope he will continue to tweet and wont be lost in the oblivion.

Bangladesh resuing their innings at 315/8 could add only 9 before getting all out for 324. Warrican took the last two wickets. 324 on the first innings of a test match these days is hardly considered enough for winning a Test. But given how the things turned out on a topsy-turvy day two it appeared a huge total for which Bangladesh tail comprising  of Taijul (39*), Nayeem (26) and Mehedy Miraj (22) must be given lot of credit. They added 89 priceless runs in between them. Among the West Indian bowlers Warrican took 4/62 and Gabriel 4/70. Gabriel however would not be available for Dhaka Test. He was sentenced for one test ban for indecent behavior by the match referee. He breached the ICC code of conduct.

West Indies showed lack of skill and temperament while chasing Bangladesh score of 324. The top order collapsed to controlled quality spin bowling of Shakib, Nayeem and Taijul. Especially debutant Nayeem impressed all with his flight, loop and control. His 5/61 announced arrival of a new hero. Shakib with 3/43 was in his element. He also became the first Bangladesh bowler taking 200 test wickets. Perhaps he bowled a little less for not stressing his fingers too much. Off the West Indies batsmen Hetmeyer threatened for a while counter attacking. His 47 balls 63 striking 5 fours and 4 sixes and his 92 runs 6th wicket partnership with Dorwich (63*) salvaged West Indies from 85/5 at critical stage. However, 78 runs first innings lead may prove decisive.

Bangladesh batting in the second innings looked nervy and panicked. Not that wicket was playing easy. But rather than West Indian bowlers taking their wickets top order gifted these away. Imrul, Soumya, Shakib an Mithun got out playing ordinary strokes. First innings hero Mominul also failed to impress. At 55/5 Bangladesh is still away from comfort zone. With 133 runs lead Bangladesh still not secured. Mushfique, Mahmudullah, Mehedy and the tail still have to add another 70 -80 runs if not 100 to press home for a win. Scoring 200 in the fourth innings on this wicket encountering 4 top spinners would be extremely challenging.

But as we said in the beginning cricket is a game where miracle happens. Very unlikely but still probable West Indies may also win chasing even 200 if hey can bat out of their skins. The match is well and truly delicately poised.

BDST: 0937 HRS, NOV 24, 2018
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