Bangladesh fightback leaves honours even

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

MIKYLE LOUIS and Alick Athanaze fell agonisingly short of well-deserved centuries, but Bangladesh fought back to share the honours at the end of the opening day of the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium yesterday.

Louis scored 97 and Athanaze made 90, but the home side let their advantage slip in the final session to end on 250 for five in 84 overs.

The pair shared a 140-run partnership for the fourth wicket to help the West Indies regain control after pacer Taskin Ahmed struck twice in the opening session to put the home side under pressure.

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite’s dismal form with the bat continued, as he toiled for four runs from 38 deliveries before he was deceived by an inswinger from Ahmed and trapped lbw with the score on 25.

Without another run being added, new batsman Keacy Carty chipped Ahmed straight into the hands of Taijul Islam at mid-on to be out for a duck.

Kavem Hodge and Louis set about repairing the damage, as West Indies went to lunch on 50 for two.

After the break, Louis brought up his second Test half-century off 104 balls when he punched Ahmed past mid-off to the boundary for four.

The pair took the score up to 84 before Hodge was run out for 25 by a superb piece of fielding by Taijul Islam at fine leg as he attempted an ill-advised second run.

His dismissal brought Athanaze to the crease and the diminutive left-hander began very circumspect, requiring 14 balls to get off the mark.

He had two nervous moments early on; first barely clearing Hasan Mahmud at mid-off off the bowling of Miraz and then skying an attempted slog sweep that fell just wide of Ahmed at mid-on three balls later off the same bowler.

There were no more scares, however, as the Windies went to tea at 116 for three, albeit scoring at a sluggish 2.16 runs an over.

MAGNIFICENT SHOT

Athanaze found his confidence in the evening session, driving fast bowler Mahmud for two boundaries in the space of four balls, with the second being a magnificent cut shot that raced behind point.

Louis, meanwhile, was more patient in his approach, but showed signs of aggression at times, lifting Miraz for six when the offspinner tossed up a half volley.

Athanaze notched his third Test half-century off 85 balls when he worked Taijul Islam to backward square leg for a single.

Louis moved into the 90s by whipping Mahmud to the deep midwicket boundary for four and seemed on track to score his maiden Test century.

However, he threw caution to the wind when he advanced down the track in a bid to hit Miraz out of the ground, but the ball found the outside edge and went straight to slip where Shahadat Hossain took the catch to leave the score 224 for four.

In all, Louis batted five and a half hours, faced 218 balls and struck nine fours and one six.

Four runs later, Athanaze’s attempted paddle sweep looped into the air off the top edge of the bat to give wicketkeeper Litton Das the easiest of catches and put Bangladesh in the ascendancy.

Athanaze was at the crease for a shade under three hours and struck 10 fours and one six in the 130 balls he faced.

Justin Greaves and Joshua DaSilva ensured there would be no further losses, adding 22 runs before bad light ended play early.

Ahmed has so far taken 2-46.