West Indies Bangladesh Test Series

Second Test Being Played at SBNCS Dhaka

Brief Score Card: At Stumps, Day One

Bangladesh 259/5 ( Shadman Islam 76, Shakib al Hasan 55* , Mahmudullah Riad 31* , Mominul Haq 29, Mohammad Mithun 29 , Soumya Sarkar 19 , Mushfiqur Rahim 14 , D Bishoo 2/69 )

Winning the toss and batting Bangladesh at stumps on day one were 255/5 on a dry wicket already gripping and turning. Given the prospect of deterioration of the surface further Bangladesh appears to have gained advantage in the match already. With all spin attack from its quality syndicate of spinners Shakib, Taijul, Naeem and Miraj and services available from Mahmudullah Bangladesh can press hard for a test win and series white wash if they add another 125-150 runs to the tally.

Shakib (51*) and Mahmudullah (31*) are looking good at the wicket. Liton K Das will bat at eight and Mehedy Miraj at 9. It is not beyond their scope scoring 400 plus from where they are. If that happens West Indies may find it truly challenging coping with quality attacking spinners on turning track.

Few persons asked questions about Bangladesh strategy of fielding an all spin attack without a front line pace bowler (Soumya is an Occasional pacer). But given the state of the wicket and performance of Bangladesh spinners in the past three tests played in Sylhet, Dhaka and Chottogram pace bowlers for Dhaka test could have been a waste.

West Indies showed weakness against spin and Bangladesh put horses for the courses. The decision for introducing Shadman Islam as opener was also a master stroke. He impressed one and all with his courage, temperament, patience, concentration and skill. He looked impregnable in defense and sublime while playing delectable drives of a classic left handed batsman.  Bangladesh witnessed emergence of yet another future hero following the footprint of Naeem Hasan in Chottogram test. How richly he deserved a century on debut. Yet his 76 laid the foundation of where Bangladesh reached at stumps.

Shakib was lucky with the coin. A new pair Soumya and Shadman started impressively. Both were at ease at the wicket weathering the new ball attack. Just when comfort was about to creep in Soumya tried driving chase without taking his feet to the pitch of the delivery. He had another failure in test in his assigned task as opener. Little bird Mominul was looking at ease as the two left handers were matching stroke for stroke. Mominul’s innings just started belong from the bud when his brain freeze caused him play an unnecessary aggressive pull to a ranked long hop of Roach. Lunch was only moments away.

Shadman was looking graceful all the while. Mithun joined him and two youngsters went about their business well. Wicket started turning and gripping. On such wicket quality leg spinners thrive. Bishoo struck two deadly blows with quality deliveries. First he cleaned up Mithun (29) and then trapped Shadman (76) right in front with clever execution of top spin and flipper. Bangladesh lost two more wickets between lunch and tea.  Perhaps Mushfique should be slotted back in his favored position of four. He however reached his milestone of being the second Bangladesh batsman scoring 4000 runs in test cricket.

Anyway Mushfique could not stay long with Shakib as he lost his furniture to a sharp in swing of Lewis. Things were not looking great for Bangladesh at 186/5 when Mahmudullah joined Shakib at the make or break stage of the match after tea. Fortunately these two great servants of Bangladesh kept their cool and taking out rich experience out of their hats railed to a very useful unbroken 69 runs partnership in the 6th wicket. Shakib scored yet another fifty (55*) and Mahmudullah remained unbeaten on well compiled 31. Juggling from the state of the wicket 255/5 appears a safe score. Bangladesh has great batting depth in this test. Liton and Miraj are genuine batsmen slotted at 8 and 9.  Even Naeem who may be batting at 11 played so well in his debut innings against the same opposition.

Any score of 350 plus would be useful but 400 plus will take the match completely out of the grasp of the visitors. But for all that happening first session of day two is the key. Test cricket changes hue in sessions. West Indies is not yet out of the match. They can still try and restrict Bangladesh to 300-325, bat sensibly in their first innings. But playing four quality spinners on a spinning track would not be easy for this West Indies team. Let test cricket appear with all its fragrance and flavor that made it adoring to its ardent followers.

BDST: 1406 hrs, Dec 1, 2018

RS