ICC Test Championship 
Bangabandhu Test Series 
Bangladesh VS West Indies 
2nd Match Played at SBNCS Dhaka 

Brief Scorecard at Stumps Day-3:
West Indies First Innings:  409 All Out in 142.2 overs (Joshua Da Silva 92, Nkrumah Bonner 90, Alzarri Josef 82, Kraig Braithwaite 47, John Campbell 36, Jermaine Blackwood 28, Abu Jayed Rahi 4/98, Taijul Islam 4/108, Soumya Sarkar 1/ 48, Mehedy Hasan Miraz 1/78)) 
Bangladesh 1st Innings:  296 All Out in 96.5 Overs (Liton K Das 71, Mehedy Hasan Miraj57 Mushfiqur Rahim 54, Tamim Iqbal 44, Mominul Haq 21 , Gabriel 2/31, Rakheem Cornwall 5/18, Alzarri Joseph 1/34) 
West Indies 2nd Innings: 41/3 In 20.4 Overs (John Campbell18, Taizul Islam 1/13, Naeem Hasan 1/14, Mehedy Meraj 1/14) 
West Indies lead by 154 Runs With 7 second Innings Wickets at Hand. 

Brave and brilliant batting by two relatively young Bangladesh batsmen, wicket keeper Liton K Das and rapidly rediscovering batting skills spinning all-rounder Mehedy Hasan Meraj salvaging Bangladesh innings tottering at 6/155 brought relatively closer to West Indies score. It is for their patient and painstaking 7th wicket partnership of 126 Replying to West Indies 1st innings score of 409 Bangladesh replying to West Indies 1st innings score of 409 could reach 296. Once Liton fell to Rakheem for 71 and Meraj for 57, West Indies quickly consumed the tail. Cannot blame 9, 10 and jack. On the wearing wicket against potent WI attack, it was well beyond their capacity to stay longer.  

However, Bangladesh made some early inroads into West Indies top order. At stumps West Indies reached 41/3   moving ahead by154 runs with 7 second innings wicket at hand. Day four and day five now promises to be very exciting though another defeat of Bangladesh and a series white washing is looming. Batting on this wicket on day four and five would require extreme concentration, application and commitment. Bangladesh has to leave nothing unturned to restrict WI lead below 300 as any target about 300 would be extremely challenging. West Indies chased 397 and won at Chattogram. But that type of superhuman achievement does not happen regularly. 

Bangladesh started the day on the back foot at 105/4. Much was expected from Mushfique and Mithun. However, Mithun’s painstaking stay was curtained by Rakheem soon. However, Mithun labored for 86 deliveries for his 15. Mushfique was well shot. But after reaching 54 he had his brain freeze. Ironically trying unnecessary reverse sweep, he threw away his wicket leaving Bangladesh in deep trouble. It was an unpardonable mistake on the part of a senior professional at a crucial stage. 

Liton K Das and Mehedy Hasan Miraj bats at number 7 and number 8 in test in Bangladesh batting order. Theoretically they are the last recognized batting pair. When these two came together for batting after Mushfique threw away his wicket Bangladesh at 6/155. Possibility of a very humiliating following on was staring at them. From there on the pair applied and batting brilliantly steered not only Bangladesh but also created opportunity for a thrilling contest. Mind you their mission was not easy. Though the wicket did not have demon yet Gabriel and Joseph were constantly tried to dismantle with short sharp rising delivery and Rakheem was teasing. Liton scored 71 and Meraj scored 57. The top order batsmen of Bangladesh can take a lesson or two from the way these two batted. Bangladesh reached 296, which looked far better than what it could be if Liton and Meraj could not resist. Rakheem constantly troubled Bangladesh batsmen. On this wicket he bowled with far better control than Bangladeshi spinners getting 5/74. Gabriel bowling some hostile spells extracted life from sluggish wicket. He took 3/ 70. WI gained very useful 113 runs first innings lead.

For Bangladesh Taijul, Naeem and Mehedy taking 1 wicket each created some early inroads. West Indies at stumps reached 41/3 an overall lead of 154. Fourth day morning session would be series defining. Ball is gripping and turning. Any lead over 300 may prove beyond the reach of Bangladesh on this wearing wicket. But for achieving an improbable win Bangladesh has to play out of their skins. West Indies won't leave it easy. They need only a drawn match to win the series. However, a win and a series white wash would be huge bonus for them. Bangladesh must leave no stone unturned pushing for a win. Losing yet again and even losing 1-0 to this West Indies team would be a huge disgrace for Bangladesh. 

BDST: 1720 HRS, FEB 13, 2021
SMS