Bishoo strikes twice but Bangladesh keep Windies at bay

Bangladesh (CMC):

Opener ShadmaN Islam struck a half-century on debut, while captain Shakib-al-Hasan notched his 24th, but West Indies shared honours on day one of the second and final Test here yesterday.

Opting to bat first, the hosts ended the day at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on 259 for five, with Shadman top-scoring with 76 and Shakib unbeaten at the close on 55.

Shakib was partnered by Mahmudullah on 31 not out, while Mominul Haque and Mohammed Mithun both scored 29.

Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo proved the most successful West Indies bowler with two for 69 as the visiting bowlers kept Bangladesh in check without ever taking command of the crucial contest.

Bangladesh started cautiously, with Shadman and Soumya Sarkar (19) putting on 42 before part-time off-spinner Roston Chase, introduced from as early as the fourth over, got the breakthrough on the stroke of the first hour when he had left-hander Sarkar caught at slip by Shai Hope, driving at a wide ball.

Mominul, who struck two fours in a busy 46-ball innings, arrived to join Shadman in a 45-run second-wicket stand, which saw Bangladesh through the next hour.

The persevering Kemar Roach was rewarded on the penultimate ball before lunch when Moninul tugged a short ball to mid-on, where Chase took a simple catch.

On 87 for two at the break, Bangladesh controlled the game for the first hour following the resumption as Shadman and Mithun put on a critical 64 for the third wicket.

While the left-handed Shadman faced 199 and counted six fours, Mithun occupied the crease 61 deliveries for his knock.

However, West Indies hit back strongly to grab control of the match approaching tea, with Bishoo removing both batsmen in the space of 16 balls for the addition of 10 runs.

He claimed Mithun about half-hour before tea, the right-hander missing a pull at one that cramped him for room and having his stumps shattered while Shadman played down the wrong line and was lbw.

When Mushfiqur missed a drive at an in-swinging delivery from rookie Shermon Lewis and was bowled for 14 in the fifth over after tea at 190 for five, West Indies were well-poised to run through the lower order.

But Shakib came to his side's rescue, stroking one boundary in 113 deliveries at the crease as he added 69 in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand with Mahmudullah.

Shakib reached his landmark in the sixth over before the close as West Indies struggled to break the stand, which also saw Mahmudullah facing 59 balls and hitting one four.

West Indies are trying to avoid their first series defeat on Bangladeshi soil after losing the first Test in Chittagong by 64 runs.

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